§ 3.15 p.m.
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question of which I have given Private Notice. The Question is as follows:
"To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement about the collision between the 'Ark Royal' and the Soviet naval vessel in the Mediterranean."
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, H.M.S. "Ark Royal", together with other Royal Naval and R.A.F. forces, is taking part in a national exercise being held in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean. Last Monday night she was in open waters between Malta and Crete, and was engaged in night-flying exercises. She had begun launching her aircraft, and was displaying the appropriate internationally recognised lights which showed that she could not easily manœuvre.
742 After the launch of the first aircraft, a Soviet Kotlin-class destroyer approached the "Ark Royal" on a collision course from the starboard bow. The carrier took what avoiding action she could and put her engines at full astern, but she was unable to miss the Soviet vessel, whose port quarter struck the "Ark Royal's" port bow.
The "Ark Royal" immediately stopped her night-flying exercise and diverted the aircraft already airborne so that she and her accompanying frigate, H.M.S. "Yarmouth", could undertake, with Russian vessels, a search for Russian crew members who were understood to be in the water. Although some were picked up by the "Ark Royal" and "Yarmouth" and returned to their ship, I regret that two are still believed to be missing. Only minor damage was suffered by the "Ark Royal", and she had no casualties.
In accordance with normal practice, a Naval Board of Inquiry will be convened to consider all the circumstances of the collision. Meanwhile, appropriate representations will be made about the incident to the Soviet Government.
It is not uncommon for Soviet vessels to keep close company with ships of the Royal Navy which are engaged on training and exercises. This particular incident reflects the dangers of this practice, and we trust that the Soviet naval authorities will take full account of it in their future deployment.
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. I note that there is to be a Naval Board of Inquiry, and of course I have no desire to prejudice the findings of that by asking any questions of substance. May I first of all say that I am sure that everyone in your Lordships' House will regret the loss of life that has taken place, whatever may be the rights and wrongs of this accident, and I hope very much that Her Majesty's Government will feel themselves able to convey to the Soviet Government their regret that there has been loss of life of any kind at sea. It gives me, and I am sure most of us, a feeling of great pleasure to hear that the "Ark Royal" and "Yarmouth" interrupted their manœuvres to search for Russian crew members—an action which seems to 743 be in the best traditions of this country and of the Royal Navy. May I also say how pleased we on this side are that there was no loss of life in "Ark Royal".
I should like to ask two questions of the noble Lord. First, is there any evidence so far that the Russian naval vessel was engaged in any form of monitoring or espionage? If so, will the Government make the strongest possible representations to the Soviet Government about the dangers of this kind of activity? Secondly, I would ask the noble Lord whether, as a result of this accident, "Ark Royal" is likely to be out of commission for any length of time.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, while associating myself and those on these Benches with what has been said about the action of the "Ark Royal" in this distressing incident, and while expressing also our satisfaction at there being no loss of life in the "Ark Royal", may I ask the Government whether it ever happens that ships of any NATO countries keep close company with Soviet ships engaged on manœuvres and practices?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I am much obliged to both noble Lords. The noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, asked me two questions. I do not think there is any evidence that the Russian destroyer was on a mission of espionage or of monitoring electronic equipment, but I should have thought it highly unlikely that she was there in order just to take an ordinary cruise. With regard to the noble Lord's second question, the "Ark Royal" will not be out of commission at all. Her damage was very slight— almost negligible—and she is carrying on with the exercise. With regard to the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, we also do this but at very safe limits; and there are very strict rules.