44
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE
4 February, 1975.] Mr. A. P. HOCKADAY, C.B., C.M.G.,
Mr. T. CULLEN, Mr. D. M. EVANS, Mr. G. C. B. Dodds, and Rear Admiral A. S. MORTON.
through-deck cruiser as being one of a class of ships. When we took evidence on the cruiser programme, I think in the last Parliament, we did discover that there was certain long lead equipment which had to be acquired fairly shortly for the second of this class of ships. Is it the Ministry's intention to continue with acquiring this long lead equipment for the second of this class of ships?
(Mr. Hockaday.) The present pro- posal is to continue the programme in its present form.
an
87. There are, however, cuts in the destroyer and frigate programme up to 1983-84. Again when we took evidence on the through-deck cruiser programme from various of Admiral Morton's col- leagues, the view was taken that you had to get a package of having the cruiser plus its screen. Is the re- duction in the destroyer and frigate programme
of acceptance
the view that in the NATO force part of the destroyer and frigate screen could be provided by destroyers and frigates of others of our NATO allies?(Rear Admiral Morton.) If I could first deal with the reduction in the force level of the frigates and destroyers, it stems primarily from the reduction of our contribution to the assigned forces in the Mediterranean. In terms of the relevance of the numbers of destroyers to the numbers of cruisers in the Atlantic and Channel waters in which we expect to deploy the cruisers, the cruisers and their anti-submarine helicopters are the most significant ele- ments of those task forces. Obviously we would be supported by destroyers and frigates, and obviously we would expect to be supported under the Supreme Allied Commander by the forces of the other nations subscribing naval forces in the Atlantic.
88. On the destroyer and frigate pro- gramme, obviously we are
are trying to economise on this programme. Is there any chance of resuscitating the idea of the NATO frigate and would this lead to any significant economies in cost per frigate?As a member of the Central Staff, I would prefer not to embark on such a detailed question.
89. Can I give you notice of that for a subsequent occasion?-There is a NATO frigate being built.
Chairman.
[Continued.
90. I understood from evidence we had taken before that it was about now or last month that the keel of the second through-deck cruiser should be laid. I have heard nothing about its having been laid. Has it been aban- doned or has it been postponed? (Mr. Hockaday.) Unless Mr. Cullen can answer this question straight off, I think we must have notice of it. Stem- ming from my answer to Mr. Roper a few minutes ago, it has not been abandoned. I am not aware that the keel has been laid.
91. Nor am I?- -I am not sure with- out refreshing my memory when it was planned to be laid. I think this is one we had better look into and come back to you with next week.
Sir Frederic Bennett.
92. Up to now with varying political support here we have had the Beira blockade which I think was using up to three, one off, one on, and one in the wash, for some considerable time. Our views may vary as to what is achieved with this, that is another point. Pre- sumably with the change in the Portu- guese situation in Mozambique those three will be released for other purposes than marching up and down. They will not be stopping things from going there, will they? -I would assume this would depend on decisions in the United Nations. The frigate has been main- tained there in pursuance of a United Nations resolution and I would assume that the key to the situation would be if and when the United Nations thought it right to rescind that resolution.
93. This United Nations stand was taken on the basis that the Portuguese never did go along with that resolution. If there is another government which, in fact, does not allow goods to go through there, that would in purely military terms release how many frigates for other purposes? How many are there now that would be released were the blockade to be ended? Is it three?(Rear Admiral Morton.] I find that a very diffi- cult question to answer, Sir, because if you have one there you may have to have four or five in the pipeline but all those ships are already earmarked