§ Mr. MacKinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will have discussions with the324W Ministry of Defence to bring about the future use of HMS Caroline as part of the wider tourist attractions of the Belfast Harbour and River Lagan. [78362]
§ Mr. PearsonHMS Caroline is currently a training ship of the Ulster Division of the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) docked in Titanic Quarter, Belfast. I understand that the RNR has plans to build a new on-shore base in Belfast once the finance becomes available and as a result, HMS Caroline will be surplus to requirements. However, until the shore base plans are implemented, HMS Caroline will remain a training ship.
I will ask the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to explore with relevant partners, including the Ministry of Defence, possibilities for the future use of HMS Caroline.