§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to provide Her Majesty's ships serving in the Falkland Islands area with anti-aircraft low level defence such as 30 mm cannon; and if he will ensure that all ships will be fitted with such defence systems before being sent to the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. PattieA number of British Manufacture and Research Company 20 and 30 mm gun systems have already been procured to improve the air defence capability of Her Majesty's Ships in addition to the Oerlikon 20 mm guns already in our inventory. Others are on order. The Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapons system has also been fitted to HMS "Illustrious" and is due to be fitted to HMS "Invincible" shortly. In addition, plans are in hand to improve the Sea Wolf anti-missile system fitted to the Type 22 class frigate and a number of Leanders. It is our aim that all Her Majesty's ships deploying to the Falkland Islands will be equipped with one or more of these weapons.