The video reads parliamentary challenges that accused the government of fitting defence policy to a preselected £2,000 million ceiling. Denis Healey answered by acknowledging that Navy minister Christopher Mayhew had pressed for more equipment and resigned when the government refused to exceed that ceiling. Questions then arose over whether Healey should reveal the Chiefs of Staff's advice, while he tried to distinguish the Admiralty Board's position from that of the wider Chiefs. Edward Heath connected the statement to both Mayhew's resignation and the First Sea Lord's departure, making the carrier decision a civil-military and constitutional dispute as well as a procurement choice.
Chapter · 1:52:44-1:56:23
Hansard, naval resignations, and the fixed budget ceiling
The Commons debate exposes naval opposition to the carrier decision and the constitutional sensitivity surrounding ministerial and service resignations.