HC Deb 22 April 1987 vol 114 c592W
Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in the last four years Royal Navy vessels have been deployed in the Barents sea.

Mr. Stanley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 10 February 1987 at column185.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies concerning the forward deployment of naval forces in the Norwegian and Barents seas.

Mr. Stanley

My Department regularly discusses with our NATO allies many aspects of naval strategy, including deployments in all the waters in which NATO forces might need to operate.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the vulnerability of aircraft carriers and ASW carriers operating in the Barents or Norwegian seas in the time of war.

Mr. Stanley

Our plans take into account the threats likely to be faced by Royal Navy ships in all the waters in which they might need to operate.