§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he is using in the review of berthing capacity at Her Majesty's naval bases. [27897]
§ Mr. IngramThe aim of the study into berthing capacity at Her Majesty's naval bases is to define the future policy for base porting and the required waterfront infrastructure to support maritime and joint operations. The criteria that will be used for the study include the following:
- (a) Any current base porting and waterfront infrastructure limitations that constrain the support of maritime and joint operations.
- (b) The waterfront infrastructure capacity required to support future maritime and joint operations. Taking into account that the next generation of warships including, the future aircraft carriers, Type 45 Destroyers, amphibious ships and ASTUTE class submarines are all significantly larger than their predecessors.
- (c) Apart from the larger dimensions of future vessels, a number of other considerations need to be taken into account, including increased use of naval harbours by commercial operators, the implications for personnel, the delivery of operational sea training, the need to accommodate visiting vessels from NATO and other nations, conventional weapons handling safety regulations, environmental impact and future berthing policy for Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. A large number of longer-term factors, including the consequences of various initiatives such as the Navy's TOPMAST project (Tomorrow's Personnel Management System), warship support Modernisation, contractor logistic support and reliability centred maintenance will require further detailed consideration during the course of the work.
§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will decide the outcome of his Department's review of berthing capacities at Her Majesty's naval bases. [27896]
§ Mr. IngramThe study into berthing capacity at Her Majesty's naval bases is due in the summer of 2002. Decisions on base porting will be informed by this study.