HC Deb 14 January 2002 vol 378 cc56-7W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships have been deployed for periods exceeding five months in each of the past four years. [26680]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 11 January 2002]: Following is a list of Royal Navy ships which have been deployed for periods exceeding five months in each of the past four years. It is standard practice to deploy ships for six month periods.

Ship From To Reason for deployment period of deployment (months)
Newcastle 2 May 2000 23 November 2000 Five Powers Defence Agreement 6
Argyll 8 May 2000 10 November 2000 Atlantic Patrol Task (south) 6
Marlborough 27 May 2000 3 November 2000 Armilla 6
York 31 August 2000 18 December 2000 Standing Naval Force Mediterranean 5
Iron Duke 16 September 2000 23 February 2001 Atlantic Patrol Task (south) 5
Cumberland 18 September 2000 21 March 2001 Armilla 6
2001
Lancaster 22 January 2001 26 July 2001 Armilla 6
Glasgow 5 February 2001 3 August 2001 Atlantic Patrol Task (south) 6
Sheffield 8 February 2001 9 August Atlantic Patrol Task (north) 6
Gloucester 19 March 2001 19 October 2001 Five Powers Defence Agreement 7
Edinburgh 15 May 2001 16 November 2001 Atlantic Patrol Task (south) 6
Northumberland 4 June 2001 31 December 2001 Armilla 6

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Royal Naval personnel are involved in operations. [26681]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 11 January 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 10 December 2001, Official Report, columns 531–32W.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships have been away from their base port in excess of 60 per cent. of the time, averaged over the past two years. [26675]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 11 January 2002]: Over the past two years, two ships have been deployed from their home bases for an average of more than 60 per cent. of the time. HMS Triumph, was deployed from her home base at Devonport for an average of 68 per cent. of the time; and HMS Lancaster was deployed from her home base at Portsmouth for an average of 64 per cent. of the time over the past two years.