asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the estimated period between the proposed scrapping of H.M.S. "Ark Royal" and the commissioning of the first of the command-through deck cruisers during which British shipping will be deprived of shipborne air defence or strike capability.

H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will remain in service until the late 1970s, by which time the new cruisers are planned to start entering service.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will consider the design of a small and economical type of aircraft carrier, for protection and surveillance of trade routes.

No.