§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what vessels are(a) stationed on Atlantic Patrol Ship (South) duties and (b) assigned to Standing Naval Force Mediterranean duties. [91229]
§ Mr. IngramAPT(S) is currently gapped because of the commitment to provide emergency fire cover during industrial action by the firefighters' union. Meanwhile the RN contributes to the significant UK presence in the South Atlantic with the Falkland Islands patrol vessel, HMS Leeds Castle, the APT(S) tanker, RFA Grey Rover and the ice patrol ship, HMS Endurance deployed to the region.
The RN ship allocated to Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (SNFM) is HMS Northumberland having relieved HMS Edinburgh on 19 December 2002. HMS Northumberland was due to join SNFM on 15 January 2003 but will now join the group on 28 January 2003 following an extended period of operational sea training and maintenance.