"Polar Circle" (Hansard, 4 November 1991)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)
My Lords, it is expected that "Polar Circle" will be commissioned into the Royal Navy later this month at Portsmouth. If "Polar Circle" herself were to be accepted into the Royal Navy on a permanent basis, we would then consider the name she would carry throughout her service life. For the period of her present charter, however, she will be known as HMS "Polar Circle". I should like to state clearly and unequivocally that the Government are committed both now and for the foreseea ble future to carry out the tasks formerly undertaken by HMS "Endurance".

§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the statement he made at the end of his Answer will be accepted with great enthusiasm in many quarters, not least, I imagine, by the noble Lord, Lord Shackleton, who has done so much to press Her Majesty's Government to take precisely this step? Is he also Aware that all thinking people undoubtedly accept that the Government are now doing the right thing? I should like to congratulate him and his colleagues on the decision.

§ The Earl of Arran
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his generosity and for his comments on the matter.

§ Lord Shackleton
My Lords, I should like to express my appreciation of the efforts of the noble Earl and indeed the leaders in the House of Lords, including the Chief Whip and the Leader of the House. The decision generally bears the imprint of the enthusiasm of the House of Lords. Moreover, it is due to my colleagues such as the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, and others that there has been such a satisfactory outcome. Will the Minister reiterate the continued interest of HMG, which is apparent, in the success of the Antarctic Treaty?

§ The Earl of Arran
Yes, my Lords. On a more personal note I should like to add that I have always passed on with accuracy and alacrity the strength of feeling of your Lordships' House, and indeed the arguments which have been put forward, to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, I too should like to congratulate the Minister on what he said today, and indeed the Government. Further, from this Dispatch Box I should like to pay tribute to my noble friend Lord Shackleton, who has been indefatigable in pursuit of this interest, and to the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, who has played a leading role in ensuring that the Government adopt what we consider to be the right decision.
Can the noble Earl clarify something he said in his original Answer before he made his statement? As I understand it, he said that "Polar Circle" is still, so to speak, on probation. Is the date for deciding whether the probation period is to be ended to be January or at the end of the season? Further, what are the consequences of either date?

§ The Earl of Arran
My Lords, I can confirm that the charter contract provides an option, which can be taken up by the Government at any time before 24th January, to purchase the ship or retain her on a long-term charter. Therefore, we intend to make a decision within that timescale.

§ Lord Chalfont
My Lords, as one who has taken an interest in the matter, I should like to add my congratulations to those expressed by other noble Lords on the decision, especially to the noble Earl. Perhaps I may use a metaphor which seems to be politically topical and congratulate him on the way in which he has handled some very difficult bowling on a very difficult wicket. I believe that the House will be especially grateful to him for the way he has handled the whole issue.

§ The Earl of Arran
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his comments. Certainly the bowling at times has not been easy.

§ Lord Buxton of Alsa
My Lords, as one who has actually been to the Antarctic, and once in HMS "Endurance", I too should like to add my congratulations to the Government on this far-reaching and far sighted decision. Also, like other noble Lords, I should like to congratulate my noble friend Lord Arran on his valiant display of endurance during all these debates. However, since the debates over the past few months have been almost identical word for word to those which took place in 1981 and 1982, can he give the House an assurance that we shall not have to go through it all again in the year 2001 when some of us may be a little hard of hearing?

§ The Earl of Arran
My Lords, if I am here in the year 2001 I would hope to be able to give the same kind of assurance. But of course there is no guarantee that I shall be here at that time.

§ Lord Shackleton
My Lords, can the noble Earl say whether there will be an opportunity for those noble Lords who are interested in the sea and in seafaring to see the new ship? Last week I had the opportunity to go on board. The bridge is so electronic that it looks like something out of a spaceship. However, the ship is marvellous and poor old HMS "Endurance" sitting 21 alongside looks rather sad. Assuming that a decision is taken in this direction, is HMS "Endurance" still a possible permanent name for the ship?

§ The Earl of Arran
Yes, my Lords; the possibility of HMS "Endurance" as a future name still remains. I am grateful to the noble Lord for mentioning the possibility of a party going down to visit "Polar Circle" before she leaves. It is my intention to take a party from your Lordships' House, plus Members of another place, to visit the ship perhaps a few days before she sails.