HC Deb 20 May 1994 vol 243 cc603-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many British merchant vessels were chartered in each year since 1984 for United Kingdom national maritime exercises; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many British merchant vessels were chartered in each year since 1984 for multinational maritime exercises; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Some 68 British merchant vessels have been chartered in support of multinational—NATO—maritime exercises as follows:

Year Number of vessels
1984 11
1985 8
1986 8
1987 8
1988 8
1989 15
1990 3
1991 4
1992 Nil
1993 3
19941 Nil
1 To date.

From available records, three British merchant vessels were chartered in support of United Kingdom national maritime exercises in the same period: two in 1985 and one in 1990.

Afloat support for United Kingdom national maritime exercises is usually provided by the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service. Additional vessels, if required, are obtained from the world-wide market on the basis of cost, availability and suitability, with as many shipowners as possible being notified of the requirement. Vessels for multinational—NATO—exercises are obtained in the same way.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent changes he has made to his procedures for chartering merchant vessels; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

My Department's arrangements for chartering merchant vessels are kept under constant review. Last August we placed a one-year ship broking services contract with the Baltic Exchange to cover most of our requirements. That contract is currently being reassessed.