§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the morale of senior naval personnel.
§ Mr. NottI believe there is a growing understanding that our revised forward naval plans reflect increased resources for the Royal Navy. Last year, for example, expenditure on warship construction—including fitted weapons—was the highest recorded total in real terms in 19 years, and nearly 50 per cent. higher in real terms than in the last year of the previous Administration. Next year we plan to spend about £700 million more in real terms on the conventional Navy than when we came into office. The Royal Navy is—and will remain—after the United States Navy—the largest fleet in the free world and has just performed brilliantly in the Falkland Islands campaign. Morale should be high.