§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in order to ensure employment in the light of the collapse of Maritime Fruit Carriers, the Government will place an order for a through-deck cruiser and a second order for a Type 42 destroyer on Tyneside at once.
§ Mr. William RodgersSwan Hunter Shipbuilders are already building two Type 42 Destroyers—HMS "Newcastle" and HMS "Glasgow". A third—HMS "Cardiff"—has just been moved there for fitting out and an order for a further ship of this class—HMS "Exeter"—was placed with the firm on 22nd January 1976. The firm has a shipbuilder involvement contract to familiarise itself with the work involved in the construction of an anti-submarine warfare242W cruiser. I am not in a position to make a statement about further orders at this stage.