§ 10. Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the circumstances in which the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Fort Austin" sailed for the South Atlantic in March.
§ Mr. LeightonIs the right hon. Gentleman confirming that the "Fort Austin" sailed before the Prime Minister said on 31 March that she was aware of the possibility of an Argentine invasion? Does it not stretch credulity too far to imagine that a ship of that size was meant to provision HMS "Endurance"? Will the right hon. Gentleman make a clean breast of this issue and say whether the vessel was sent to retrieve and collect the nuclear weapons that were contained on the ships of the task force?
§ Mr. NottRFA "Fort Austin" sailed to replenish HMS "Endurance". She sailed on 29 March. Those are the facts.
§ Mr. DalyellDid Ministers give the order for her to sail?
§ Mr. PrescottIs the Secretary of State aware that the merchant seamen now on board this vessel in the Falkland Islands are in industrial dispute because the Department refuses to pay them the danger and hardship allowance paid to other merchant seamen sailing on civilian vessels? In the interests of justice, will he intervene, correct the injustices and return the ship to full operation?
§ Mr. NottI shall look into the points that the hon. Gentleman has made. However, in general the performance of our merchant seamen in the Falklands conflict was absolutely outstanding. The negotiations that we undertook at the outset of that conflict provided a substantial and well-deserved augmentation to the Merchant Navy's pay and allowances. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman or anyone else can say that they were not extremely well paid for doing a marvellous job.
§ Dr. McDonaldWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the sending of the "Fort Austin" had nothing whatever to do with the invasion of the Falklands by Argentina? Is he saying that the Ministry of Defence knew nothing whatever of the invasion before the Prime Minister heard of it two or three days later? Will he also confirm that the sole purpose of the visit of "Fort Austin" was to provision HMS "Endurance"?
§ Mr. NottI do not want to spoil the Opposition's excitement about this matter, but RFA "Fort Austin" sailed to replenish HMS "Endurance". That is why she was sent, that was the purpose of sending her, and much as I am sorry to disappoint the Opposition, that is the truth.
§ Mr. DalyellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply involving a lie—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Did the hon. Gentleman say that it was a lie? If so, he knows that he must withdraw the remark.
§ Mr. DalyellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. One does not send a 16,500-tonne—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is a parliamentarian and knows that he cannot accuse anyone of telling a lie. The sooner he withdraws that remark, the sooner we can return to questions.
§ Mr. DalyellI do withdraw it, Mr. Speaker.