Destroyers and Frigates

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Defence – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 March 1969.

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Photo of Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles , Winchester 12:00, 26 March 1969

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average mileage steamed by destroyers/frigates during the year 1967–68.

Photo of Dr David Owen Dr David Owen , Plymouth, Sutton

For security reasons, which have already been explained to the hon. and gallant Member, I am not prepared to quote these figures.

Photo of Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles , Winchester

Why is the hon. Gentleman so cagey about the Soviet Fleet off our shores this morning? Or is this more malice than ignorance on the part of Mr. Chapman Pincher?

Photo of Dr David Owen Dr David Owen , Plymouth, Sutton

It is not a question of malice or ignorance. We are not in any way cagey about the question of Russian ships being off our shores. Anyone need only read the Defence Estimates to see this.