HC Deb 06 March 1963 vol 673 cc58-9W
99. Mr. Dingle Foot

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why H.M.S. "Blake" is to go into reserve.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

As my noble Friend said in another place on Monday, H.M.S. "Blake" is going into reserve because there are temporary manpower shortages in various categories. The run-down in Malta has gone much more slowly than was anticipated; H.M.S. "Albion" is in commission in addition to the planned Fleet but on the same number of men as for the planned Fleet; some of the new construction ships have come forward more quickly than we had expected; and we have temporary shortages in the electrical branch.

A number of measures are in hand to overcome the shortages, but they will take some time to be effective. It is intended that H.M.S. "Blake's" period in reserve shall be temporary.

100. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient personnel are available to man ships which, after extensive refits, are having to be placed in reserve.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

I assume that the hon. Member has H.M.S. "Blake" in mind.

The ship would have had her normal refit even if originally it had been planned to reduce her to reserve. This is normal practice to ensure that ships in reserve can be brought forward swiftly and effectively when required. H.M.S. "Blake" is going into reserve because there are temporary manpower shortages in various categories particularly in the electrical skills. A number of measures have already been put in hand.

Mr. Lubbock

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why he authorised the refitting of H.M.S. "Blake" when insufficient personnel were available to man the ship on completion of the refit.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's previous Question, the ship would have had her normal refit even if she had originally been planned to go into reserve. The temporary manpower shortages which now prevent her return to operational service, as had been intended, have been occasioned by a slower run-down in Malta than had been expected; some of the new construction ships have come forward more quickly than we had expected; and commissioning of H.M.S. "Albion" in addition to the planned Fleet but on the same numbers as for the planned Fleet. As my noble Friend has already stated it is intended that H.M.S. "Blake"'s period in reserve shall be temporary.