§ 73. Mr. Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that the longest period between launching and completion of the previous six guided missile armed destroyers was 28 months, when H.M.S. "Antrim" and H.M.S. "Norfolk", launched in October and November, 1967, respectively, will now be completed; and what are the causes of the delay.
§ Mr. John MorrisH.M.S. "Norfolk" was accepted from the shipbuilder on 7th March, 1970, which is 28 months after her launch on 16th November, 1967. She was delayed by a number of factors, including labour disputes. Completion of H.M.S. "Antrim" has been delayed due to a boiler explosion, labour disputes and142W the effects of re-organisation on the ship-building company. She is now expected to complete in July, 1970, 33 months after she was launched on 19th October, 1967.