§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Russian ships and submarines have been sighted within 50 miles of the coast of the United Kingdom in each year since 1974.
§ Mr. DuffyAlmost continuously, there is a Soviet rescue tug at anchor within 20 miles of the Shetlands. For approximately eight months in the year there is an Intelligence Collector (AGI) off the Clyde Approaches. In addition and sometimes simultaneously, a second AGI may spend a total of some three months a year on station off the East Coast, or, less frequently, the South Coast.
Statistics on sightings of other Soviet ships are not readily available in the form requested, but in 1977 some 27 Soviet warships including submarines were sighted within 50 miles of the United Kingdom.