§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the delay in the development of the Mark 31 torpedo.
§ Lord BalnielAs a result of difficulties experienced during the development of the Mark 31 torpedo it became clear that it would enter service substantially later than expected. In January of this year I set up an internal inquiry in order to draw out any lessons that the history of the Mark 31 project may hold for the organisation and control of similar projects in the future.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the supply of torpedoes for British submarines; and whether he can give an assurance that these will be of British origin and British manufacture.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourBritish submarines are supplied with the Mark 8 torpedo for use against surface targets, and the Mark 20 and Mark 23 for anti-submarine attacks. The Mark 24, a heavy guided anti-submarine weapon, is expected to enter service in the early part of the 1970s. All these are British torpedoes.