HC Deb 07 March 1989 vol 148 cc518-9W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on Britain's independent nuclear deterrent.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Britain's Polaris force remains fully operational and effective with at least one submarine on patrol at all times. Trident remains on programme to enter service in the mid-1990s.

Merchant Vessels (Emergencies)

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the figures for the availability in March 1989 of British merchant vessels suitable for naval deployment in time of emergency.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The figures for March 1989 are not yet available. The number of vessels available on the United Kingdom and dependent territory registers at 31 December 1988 in the categories required for defence purposes was as follows:

Number
Fishing vessels (including large stern trawlers and offshore support vessels) 348
Product tankers 120
Break bulk cargo vessels 162
Cruise ships 5
Roll on-roll off ferries 69
Tugs 91