Royal Navy

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 May 1976.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Patrick Duffy Mr Patrick Duffy , Sheffield, Attercliffe 12:00, 12 May 1976

Taking the most important factors in the operation and strength of the two fleets, and looking at the number of vessels produced and their capabilities, I am bound to take the view which I took, and it is a view by which I stand.

My hon. Friend also quoted the United States Secretary of Defence as a confirmation that the West need not worry about the growth in Soviet naval power. He omitted, however, to quote a later passage in the same document by Mr. Rumsfeld, which reads as follows. Given the present trends in the Soviet Navy, maintenance of a favourable maritime balace will not be possible unless we modernise our fleet, maintain force levels and improve significantly the readiness of existing ships". In other words, what Mr. Rumsfeld was saying in his statement—and I would go along with him entirely—was that, although the Soviet Navy does not have command of the seas, the future balance depends on our continuing efforts.