HC Deb 20 January 1972 vol 829 cc208-9W
28. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence what will be the interval between the withdrawal from service of H.M.S. "Eagle" and the commissioning of a through-deck cruiser equipped with vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft.

Mr. Kirk

The cruisers are planned to start entering service in the late 1970s. But no decision has been taken to deploy vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft at sea.

Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the progress of the proposed command through-deck cruisers.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

I have nothing to add at this stage to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 21st October.—[Vol. 823, c. 884–5.]