§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received concerning the presence of Royal Navy vessels in the vicinity of the Harvester at the time of its sinking; and if he will make a statement. [107061]
§ Mr. SpellarAt the time of the tragic loss of the Solway Harvester the nearest vessel was the RFA Bayleaf, a tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was some 30 miles west of the Solway Harvester when the mayday was raised and took part in the rescue operation. There were no other Royal Navy vessels in the vicinity of the Isle of Man. There were no submarines in the area.