(DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE)
11 February, 1975.]
[Continued.
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possible to plan to reduce the size of the RFA fleet, and to reduce correspondingly the planned RFA new construction programme. The activities to be reduced would be those of the Fleet tankers (planned to be cut by three ships) reflecting the reduced level of Fleet operations worldwide; of two stores support ships (for the same reason); and of two dry cargo freighters no longer needed for the resupply of all three Services at overseas bases. The reductions in the existing Fleet would produce savings of about £20 million in the period on material running costs, and enable us to reduce RFA manpower by 700 by 1979 saving about £2 million a year. The deletion of. planned new construction orders would save about
in the period.
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The RN-manned element of afloat support would be reduced by paying off a Fleet Maintenance Ship and deleting its replacement from the planned new con- struction programme. This cut also reflects a reduced requirement for mobile support facilities in areas away from Fleet bases.
A detailed study is currently being carried out on the size of the reductions to be made in other civilian manned ships and craft. These reductions include the deletion of lifting craft needed to provide a salvage capability for sunken submarines, as a result of which we would be heavily dependent on foreign and commercial salvage organisations in an emergency.
Q6. Anti-Submarine Cruiser Programme.
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A6. The naval programme includes planned orders in the review period for * further anti-submarine cruisers in addition to HMS INVINCIBLE which is already building. Following the defence review, the plan would be to order long lead equipment for the second cruiser in the near future, this action needs to be taken at least one year in advance of ordering the ship herself.
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On the assumption that Messrs. Vickers can recover the loss of their skilled man- power which has occurred in recent months, HMS INVINCIBLE is currently estimated to be operational by late
some 6 months later than previous estimates. The date of entry into service of the
ships will depend upon the timing of further orders on which decisions have yet to be taken, and on the subsequent performance of the shipbuilders. On current plans, which assume the necessary build-up of manpower resources in the warship building industry, the ships are expected to be operational by
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Q7. Chieftain. What is the nature of any change arising from the review which will affect the Chieftain programme? What is the amount of any reduction of ex- penditure on tanks during the review period? What is this amount as a percentage of what was expected to be spent on the Chieftain programme during the review period?
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Q8. NATO Discussions. What firm decisions have been taken on the review proposals following those discussions with our Allies which have already taken place? What proposals (if any) have our NATO partners reacted strongly against?
A8. When we opened the formal consultation process with our NATO Allies last December we made it clear that although the Government's decision about the overall level of resources to be devoted to defence was indeed a firm one, we were open to discussion about the proposals which we had put forward in order to accomplish the necessary reductions. No final decisions have however yet been taken on these particular proposals.
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Questions on Long Term Costings arising from comparison of Cmnd. 5879 with Cmnd. 5519 (The Clerk's letter of 6 February 1975)1.
1 Not reported
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.