§ Q15. Sir David Priceasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent experiences in the South 616W Atlantic, she will now bring forward complete and inter-departmental maritime policy for the United Kingdom, including closer co-ordination between civil and military policy planning.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to change the current arrangements for formulating and co-ordinating policy on maritime matters, under which the Department of Trade takes the lead. The long-standing co-ordination between civil and military planners played a vital part in the rapid mobilisation of the merchant shipping support for the Falklands task force.