§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what joint development is being done with the Australian Government on frigates.
§ Mr. MasonWe are examining the possibility of developing a hull design for a new frigate which could also meet the possible requirements of the R.A.N. in the 1970s. The design contract, which has been let with Messrs. Yarrow/Vosper, is intended to provide the R.N. with a more advanced frigate than the "Leanders", which may, if successful, 105W also be developed, when the new close-range surface-to-air guided missile to follow "Sea Cat" is available, into the "Leander" successor mentioned in Command 3357. The project is still at an early stage and there is no commitment at present on either side.