§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date HMS "Endurance" left the United Kingdom in 1981; and if he will list her activities since that time.
§ Mr. BlakerHMS "Endurance" sailed from Portsmouth on 13 October 1981. Until the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia HMS "Endurance" carried out her normal duties in support of the British Antarctic Survey bases and of the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands; in the course of these she conducted hydrographic, geological and life science work. Following the Argentine invasion, HMS "Endurance" became a part of the task force operating in the South Atlantic.
502W
§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Secretary of State for. Defence if he will make a statement on the contribution of HMS "Endurance" to the defence of the South-West Atlantic, the actions in which she was engaged during the recent hostilities and her achievements during those actions.
§ Mr. BlakerDespite her relatively limited military capacity, HMS "Endurance" has made a useful contribution to the recent operations in the South-West Atlantic, especially because she has been the only ship in the task force with the capability to operate in ice conditions. She played a valuable role in the operation to recapture South Georgia and was subsequently involved in the recovery of South Thule.
§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed) on 15 July, Official Report, c. 451, when he expects to be in a position to announce a date for the return of HMS "Endurance" to the United Kingdom from her present tour of duty; and if he will make arrangements to inform the captain and crew and their relatives of the proposed date of return.
§ Mr. BlakerI hope that it will soon be possible to release the date for the return of HMS "Endurance" to the United Kingdom. Arrangements already exist to inform, at the appropriate time, the captains, crews and their families of the expected date of return of all ships with the task force.
§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence why HMS "Endurance", which left the United Kingdom in October 1981 and has been engaged in sea duties since that date has been retained in the South Atlantic; and whether, in view of the fact that other task force ships with shorter lengths of duty have returned to the United Kingdom, he will fix a date for her return.
§ Mr. BlakerHMS "Endurance" has been retained in the South Atlantic for operational reasons, which include her unique capability to operate in ice conditions and her extensive experience of the area. I am conscious of the length of her deployment and it is the intention that "Endurance" should return to the United Kingdom as soon as possible.