22.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to visit HMS "Ark Royal".
My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit HMS "Ark Royal".
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce his decision about the future of HMS "Ark Royal" at the end of her commission in December 1978.
I announced on 27th February—[Vol. 945, c. 90.]—that HMS "Ark Royal" would pay off at the end of the year. After very careful consideration it has now been decided that arrangements will be made for her to be scrapped. We have had many suggestions about how she might be used in future but, if she were to be sold for a purpose other than scrap, we should have to be satisfied that she could be properly maintained. It would be inappropriate for Defence funds to be used for this purpose.