HC Deb 30 November 1972 vol 847 c185W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of State for Defence which of Her Majesty's ships are now available to show the flag to Commonwealth and foreign States.

Mr. Buck

All operational H.M. Ships are available to carry out any tasks required of them, including visits to show the flag to Commonwealth and foreign States. Over 200 visits to foreign and Commonwealth countries have so far taken place this year; over one quarter of these were made to ports east of the Cape. At present, for example, H.M.S. "Devonshire" is visiting Australia, while H.M.S. "Odin" has recently called at Tonga and H.M.S. "Lynx" has just left the island of Labuan of Sabah.