HC Deb 05 April 1982 vol 21 c243W
Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the foreign submarine detected in the vicinity of the Clyde approaches.

Mr. Blaker

During routine surveillance operations over the weekend of 27–28 March, a Soviet nuclear-powered submarine was detected submerged in the North-West Approaches. Both the submarine and a large Soviet intelligence gathering surface vessel which was also in the area were kept under surveillance by Royal Navy frigates and naval helicopters and Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft. At no time did either Soviet vessel enter territorial waters.