Nonsense A56 - I think what you meant to say was that operating carriers and SSNs together is essential if you are involved in things like protecting SLOCs over oceanic distances.
This 1978 article from
Flight Global might interest you - entitled 'Navy keeps its wings':
Navy keeps its wings part 1
Navy keeps its wings part 2
Not only does it talk about the planned role of CVS/Sea Harrier/Sea King in protecting convoys - doing ASW and dealing with Bears doing long range targeting, but it shows that WG34 (the intended successor to the ASW Sea King) would be very Merlin like. The article focuses on the aircraft that would operate from the CVS, and does not mention that the Sea Harriers would be controlled by Type 42 destroyers and other ships, or that the ASW Sea King would operate alongside frigates - Cold War/Falklands operations. It did not anticipate the development of active dipping sonar, nor how this would be used in conjunction with frigates equipped with towed array sonars.
Some news from the last few weeks: HMS
Queen Elizabeth has now
assumed the role Of Fleet Flagship. On a more practical note - the RN is
increasing personnel numbers by 3000 over the next three years - not only will this allow more ships to be fully crewed and put to sea, but it will help with providing people for the Lightning Force.