§ 87. Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current role, annual cost and strength of the headquarters unit at HMS Calpe, Gibraltar; when he intends to close it; how and by whom its wartime task will be fulfilled henceforth; what role HMS Calpe played in the seatrain during Operation Granby; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe current rule of HMS Calpe is to provide Royal Naval Reserve personnel to undertake naval control of shipping duties. The unit also provides additional operational support to the Commander British Forces Gibraltar including some augmentation to the manning of the maritime headquarters in periods of tension and war. The annual cost of the unit is £180,000. The strength is 21 officers, 56 ratings and three civilians. HMS Calpe will close by 31 March 1993. In future, the naval control of shipping tasks will be undertaken by staff deployed from the United Kingdom should the need arise. Tasks previously undertaken by RNR personnel serving in the maritime headquarters will now be undertaken by service personnel using modern visual aids and computers. HMS Calpe was not involved in the seatrain during Operation Granby.