HC Deb 15 December 1982 vol 34 cc170-1W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how far from the nearest point of the Burdwood Shallows on Burdwood Bank the "General Belgrano" was sunk.

Mr. Blaker

Admiralty charts do not define the Burdwood Shallows. The "General Belgrano" was some 45 nautical miles from the edge of the Burdwood Bank.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the local time at 55 27 South 61 25 West when the "General Belgrano" was sunk.

Mr. Blaker

The time was 1457 hours.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how long he estimates the "General Belgrano's" sailing time from the position she was sunk to the Burdwood Bank would have been at the time she was torpedoed in view of her course of 280.

Mr. Blaker

That would depend on her speed and course, which she could vary at will, as she had throughout the day. At maximum speed on a direct course, she would have reached the edge of the Burdwood Bank in about 1½ hours.