asked the Minister for Defence if he will give the following information for the period from 1 January 1980 to date in respect of the Naval Service: (a) the number of officers who (i) were commissioned or joined the service, (ii) resigned; (b) the number of men who (i) joined, (ii) left the service; (c) if there were any competitions for naval cadets this year to date, and if so, the number of vacancies for cadets, the number of applicants, and the number recruited; (d) the number of applicants, and the number recruited; (d) the number of (i) officers, (ii) men, and (iii) cadets at present, when it is expected that the cadets will be commissioned, and in the case of engineering cadets when it is expected they will be fully qualified.
Written Answers. - Naval Service.
311.
The information requested is as follows:
(a) (i) The number of officers who were commissioned or joined the Naval Service—6.
(ii) The number of officers who resigned or retired—4.
(b) (i) The number of men who joined the Naval Service—161. (ii) The number of men who left the service—102.
(c) A competition for the award of five cadetships in the Engineering Branch of the Naval Service is at present in progress. There were 31 applicants.
(d) The present strength of the Naval Service is 74 officers, 28 cadets and 658 seamen. Cadets are expected to be commissioned as follows:
July 1980—6
November 1980—6
July 1981—5
November 1981—11
Engineering cadets are expected to be fully qualified approximately five years from the date of the award of cadetships. The first five cadets who were inducted in June 1978 should be qualified in 1983.
312.
asked the Minister for Defence (i) if he will give the cost of each of the “Deirdre” class vessels acquired by the Naval Service, and if he intends to order a further vessel of this type to maintain employment and increase the effectiveness of the Naval Service, as the provision of four vessels of this type was approved by the EEC Commission, (ii) the date each of these vessels was ordered laid down, and launched, (iii) the number of vessles available to the Naval Service on 1 December, and 1 June of each of the years 1970 to June 1980, inclusive.
(i) It is not the practice to disclose contract details. As to the purchase of further vessels, it is proposed to build two new helicopter bearing ships. The development of a design and specification for these vessels is proceeding as speedily as possible, but has not yet reached the stage where a definite date for the placing of an order can be indicated.
The EEC was informed that four vessels of the LE “Deirdre” class would be in service by 1980, and this was achieved with the commissioning of LE “Aisling” on 21 May 1980.
(ii) The LE “Deirdre” was ordered on 20 August 1970, laid down on 10 August 1971, and launched on 29 December 1971.
The LE “Emer” was ordered on 22 December, 1975, laid down on 28 February 1977 and launched on 26 September 1977.
The LE “Aoife” was ordered on 22 December 1977, laid down on 3 July 1978 and launched on 12 April 1979.
The LE “Aisling” was ordered on 12 July 1978, laid down on 31 January 1979 and launched on 3 October 1979.
(iii) The number of vessels in commission by the Naval Service on December and on 1 June of each of the years 1970 to June 1980 is as follows:
|
1 June |
1 December |
|
|
1970 |
1 Corvette |
1 Corvette |
|
1971 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers |
3 Coastal Minesweepers |
|
1972 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
|
1973 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
|
1974 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
|
1975 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
|
1976 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel |
|
1977 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel1 Stern Trawler converted for patrol duties1 Training Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers1 Patrol Vessel1 Stern Trawler converted for patrol duties1 Training Vessel |
|
1978 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers2 Patrol Vessels1 Training Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers2 Patrol Vessels1 Training Vessel |
|
1979 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers2 Patrol Vessels1 Training Vessel |
3 Coastal Minesweepers3 Patrol Vessels1 Training Vessel |
|
1980 |
3 Coastal Minesweepers4 Patrol Vessels1 Training Vessel |