HC Deb 15 June 1976 vol 913 cc299-300
20. Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied adequate forces are available for the protection of North Sea oil rigs.

Mr. Duffy

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Banks

Will the Minister confirm that the Royal Navy has at present overall responsibility for protecting the North Sea oil rigs against sabotage and attack?

Mr. Duffy

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Viggers

Is the Minister in a position to answer a question I asked him at about 4.15 this morning, when I suggested that there should be smaller but cheaper fast frigates available, which can be purchased at a cost less than the £40 million currently spent on frigates and would enable us to have the proper answer to anything that may be thrown against us in the North Sea?

Mr. Duffy

The hon. Gentleman will recall that I promised to let him have an answer, and I will see that he gets one. But I also pointed out to the House that the Island class of patrol vessels, which are already in hand—and of which I spoke earlier this afternoon in reply to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend)—are considered, in regard to their hull shape, endurance and sea-keeping qualities, to be appropriate to the task in hand. If this is discovered not to be the case, the matter that the hon. Member raises will certainly be further explored, and urgently.

Mr. Heffer

Will my hon. Friend tell us whether the Navy is properly trained to distinguish between an oil rig and a ship?