Nuclear-Propelled Warships

Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Navy – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 December 1958.

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Photo of Mr Patrick Wall Mr Patrick Wall , Haltemprice 12:00, 10 December 1958

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many nuclear-powered warships are expected to be in commission in the Royal Navy in 1961, 1962 and 1963; and how these numbers compare with the estimated numbers of similar warships in the United States Navy and the Soviet Navy.

Photo of Commander Robert Allan Commander Robert Allan , Paddington South

It would not be in the public interest to give details of our plans for bringing nuclear-propelled warships into service. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Photo of Mr Patrick Wall Mr Patrick Wall , Haltemprice

Does not my hon. Friend agree, without giving away secrets, that, from the information available to the general public, it would seem that the number is not likely to be more than two? Further, will he agree that the very heavy programme of scrapping quite useful battleships can be justified only by an adequate replacement programme, and that the existing programme indicates that it will give us a very small Fleet in the early 'sixties?

Photo of Commander Robert Allan Commander Robert Allan , Paddington South

It may be a very small Fleet, but it will be a very good one.

Photo of Mr Thomas Steele Mr Thomas Steele , Dunbartonshire West

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if, in fact, it is hoped to commence building, within the years mentioned, a nuclear-powered submarine capable of taking Polaris?

Photo of Commander Robert Allan Commander Robert Allan , Paddington South

The hon. Gentleman knows, as I told him recently in reply to a Parliamentary Question, that we are going ahead with the purchase of nuclear machinery for our own Dreadnought submarine. As Polaris has not yet been fully proven or tried out in the United States, it is difficult to say what adjustments will be necessary to submarine hulls, but, certainly, some would be necessary, as otherwise our Dreadnought hull would not be able to take Polaris.