HC Deb 27 January 1970 vol 794 c321W
Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will identify the service vessel in which it was planned to ferry supplies, transport and ammunition to 45 Royal Marine Commando on exercises in Norway; why she had to be withdrawn from the exercise; and why no service substitute was available.

Dr. David Owen

The designated vessel, the Army landing ship "Sir Percival", was subsequently withdrawn to assist with the evacuation of British Forces from Libya. All other suitable service vessels were by then otherwise committed for the period in question, and they could not have performed the task without unacceptable operational penalty.