§ Mr. Wilkinson asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement on the future of "Invincible" class through-deck cruisers in Royal Navy service; and say what negotiations and with which foreign Governments have taken place for the acquisition from the United Kingdom of any of these vessels.
§ Mr. Wiggin: As stated in Cmnd. 8288, the new carrier "Ark Royal" will be completed as planned, but we intend to keep in service in the long term only two of the three ships of this class. We are discussing with the Australian Government their possible acquisition of one of these ships but no decision has yet been taken.