§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the importance his Department attaches to the role of British merchant vessels and merchant seafarers during(a) peacetime exercises, (b) support and re-supply operations and (c) times of crisis and war. [15434]
§ Dr. ReidThe Government fully recognise the importance of British merchant shipping and seafarers in the defence context. Indeed, the Department maintains one of the largest civilian fleets in Europe in the form of the specialist ships and civilian crews of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service.
We must acknowledge, however, that in today's security environment, a substantial element of any logistic shipping requirement can be satisfied through the international market, where vessels need not necessarily have to be British flagged or crewed as demonstrated during the Gulf War, and in subsequent operations and exercises. The Ministry of Defence is always eager to charter British flagged and crewed ships where they offer best value for money, but we have found that, in general, they are normally fully committed to regular trading activities. Nevertheless, so far during 1997, 24 British registered merchant ships have been on charter to the Ministry of Defence.
While we would plan in any serious crisis or war to charter shipping on the worldwide market, we are very conscious that a core of suitable British flagged or owned ships, which could be used under compulsory measures and manned by UK seafarers, is important.
My Department's future requirements for merchant shipping will, of course, follow on from the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review.
§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the name of each merchant vessel, and its country of registration, chartered by his Department for(a) exercises and (b) military support and re-supply operations since 1 January. [15435]
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§ Dr. ReidThe names of merchant vessels and their country of registration for(a) exercises (including training) and (b) military support and resupply operations since 1 January 1997 are as follows:
Names Country of registration Vessels chartered for exercises (including training) Cap Afrique France Dana Maxima Denmark Danica Red Denmark Guyane St. Vincent and Grenadines Jenka Denmark King of Scandinavia Denmark Norbay Great Britain Norking Finland Norcape Great Britain Pride of Flanders Great Britain Pride of Suffolk Great Britain Prince of Scandinavia Denmark Roseanne Switzerland Vega (x 2) Antigua Villars Switzerland Vessels chartered for military support and resupply operations Afon Cefni Great Britain Arktis Carrier Denmark Ben Ellen Great Britain Ben Maye Great Britain Bergen Viking Bahamas Bostonian Great Britain Cameron Great Britain Cap Afrique (x 3) France Cardissa Isle of Man Eurogracht Germany Fleur de Lyse Spain Indomitable* Great Britain Jolly Indaco Italy Julia M Great Britain Karin Cat Denmark Katherine Lucy Great Britain Llandovery Great Britain Loyal Mediator Great Britain Marine Explorer* Great Britain Maersk Ascension* Isle of Man Maersk Bothnia Norway Maersk Gannet* Isle of Man Navigo Sweden Northella* Great Britain Oil Mariner* Great Britain Proud Seahorse* Great Britain Rundale Liberia San Vincente Germany Saint Brandan* Great Britain Sea Maid Great Britain Siren Great Britain Ulla Cyprus Vega Antigua Villars (x 2) Switzerland Virgo Cyprus Zeran Malta Some vessels were chartered on more than one occasion and those indicated with an asterisk are on long term charter.
§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of United Kingdom merchant vessels available to meet defence needs; and if he will make a statement. [15433]
579W
§ Dr. ReidThe availability of militarily useful British merchant ships which might be used for defence purposes is kept under regular review as part of our normal planning process. Current figures indicate there are generally enough militarily useful ships for perceived defence needs. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, regularly monitors the position. The hon. Member will understand that our future requirements for merchant shipping will, of course, follow on from the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review.