§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future lightweight torpedo programme.
§ Lord BalnielThe Government have continued their review of the programme for developing the very advanced torpedoes required by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It is now clear that the programme for the Mark 31 antisubmarine torpedo, which cannot be accelerated, will result in the weapon entering service at a time when it will be inadequate to meet the operational requirement. Development work has therefore stopped on the Mark 31 torpedo, but studies will proceed on an advanced anti-submarine torpedo to meet the requirement for the next generation of sur-244W face ship-launched and air-launched torpedoes. In the meantime the Government are considering the possibility of acquiring the American Mark 46 torpedo provided appropriate arrangements can be made.