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33.
Mr. Edwin Wainwright
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Island class of patrol boats to be operational.
Mr. Duffy
The first ship of the Island class, HMS "Jersey", is already operational. The remaining four are expected to be accepted into the Royal Navy during 1977.
40.
Mr. Kershaw
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the speed of the Island class vessels including HMS "Jura"; and what proposals he has for future development of comparable ships.
Mr. Duffy
The maximum speed of the ships of the Island class is 16 knots and is sufficient for normal patrolling duties. Studies of the type of ship required to meet future offshore protection requirements are in hand.