(Lab):...In the Falklands we lost four escorts
and 12 were badly damaged. When you fight, you have attrition.
Delays in ordering the Type 26 frigate have resulted in cost rises
and the initial plan to build 13 has been cut to eight. The
much-vaunted Type 31 frigate is still a doodle on the drawing board
and we await the much-heralded shipbuilding strategy with interest.
It is difficult to see how the present Type 23s will be replaced
one for one on their present planned disposal dates. Perhaps the
Minister will let us know when we need to start cutting steel on
the Type 31 frigates that will replace the last of the Type
23s...
...It is quite clear that there are insufficient maritime
assets to ensure the security of UK inshore waters, particularly
post Brexit, and there is a need for an urgent study into what
craft are available, how many we need, and how command and control
are to be executed and by whom. There may be a role for the RNR and
batch 1 OPVs in this. Will a study be undertaken to look at this
yawning gap in our nation’s maritime border security? Having robust
defence forces makes a war involving our nation less likely. If
Ministers get defence wrong, the nation will never forgive them.
The costs in blood and treasure are enormous. It can be argued that
the planned saving of £16 million by getting rid of HMS “Endurance”
precipitated the Falklands War, at a final cost of 300
lives and £6.5 billion. The Government have a choice in whether to
spend what is required to ensure the safety of our nation,
dependencies and people, or not. At present, I believe that they
are getting the choice wrong...
(Con): My Lords, I have been involved in international
trade for pretty well all my working life and, since the
Falklands War, heavily involved with the armed services. Indeed,
I have the great honour of being an honorary vice-admiral. I
start by thanking my noble friends Lady Evans, Lord Taylor and
Lord Howe for agreeing to hold this debate...
(UUP):...I ask the
Minister to address some of these points when he sums up the
debate. Of course, if we press Her Majesty’s Government to spend
more on defence, they will have to take decisions to spend less
on something else. It is the inevitable piece of arithmetic that
has to be done. It will not be pleasant and, as has been said by
those who have experience of the military, the price will be
high. The Falklands have been mentioned, in
particular HMS “Endurance”—all to save a few quid. Everyone looks
for economies, but that was being penny wise and pound foolish.
There is a fundamental error in the balance between our foreign
and defence policies and our aid policies. They are closely
linked and it is important that we get the balance right. The
noble Lord, , who is not in his place
at the moment, made a good suggestion. He has called for a
commission or whatever it might be. We should not have to wait
for the next five-year defence review; this is something we need
to get on with now...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
HERE
