Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Navy – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 June 1964.
Mr Simon Digby
, West Dorset
12:00,
10 June 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to a programme of fast patrol boats armed with surface-to-surface missiles; and what decision he has reached.
Mr John Hay
, Henley
The need for craft of this type is under constant review by the Navy Department, but at present we have no plans to build any.
Mr Simon Digby
, West Dorset
Is my hon. Friend aware that others seem to be relying increasingly on these craft, which have considerable range and fire power? Will he continue to keep this under constant review as it may well be a cheap answer to some of our problems?
Mr John Hay
, Henley
Yes, Sir. As my Answer said, we are keeping this under constant review, but at the moment we have no immediate plans for these craft.
Mr Eustace Willis
, Edinburgh East
Are we to assume from the hon. Gentleman's Answer that this is one of the sacrifices which we have to make in order that the Government may proceed with the Polaris programme?
Mr John Hay
, Henley
No, Sir. As usual, the hon. Gentleman is wildly wrong.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
