Royal Navy

Lord Stewartby Excerpts

Thursday 5th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, it is one capability that we are looking at in the context of the SDSR.

[Lord Stewartby (Con)]

My Lords, when I first saw the wording of this Question, I wondered whether my noble friend was being asked to speculate about what the actual numbers might be. We heard some useful information this afternoon in that direction, but it is a long-running episode which requires attention from Defence Ministers all the time. I hoped that we could have a bit more precision. After all, the Question asks about,

“the maximum number of committed tasks involving a frigate or destroyer that the Royal Navy could undertake over a prolonged period”,

which gives an open way to an answer. Perhaps my noble friend can elaborate on that.

[Earl Howe]

I think the central point to make is that the SDSR provides the Government with an opportunity to take a deep look at what the Armed Forces need to meet the challenges that are assessed to face our country. It will set out the defence planning assumptions and the military tasks—essentially, what the Government may ask the Armed Forces to undertake. I am afraid that my noble friend will have to wait until the publication of the SDSR in a few weeks’ time.