HC Deb 18 October 1982 vol 29 cc46-7W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether defence expenditure is being allocated to the Merchant Navy, particularly with regard to chaff dispensers and light-weight Sea Wolf.

Mr. Pattie:

Under the auspices of the shipping defence advisory committee, in which both Her Majesty's Government and the General Council of British Shipping are represented, a working party has been set up to examine ways in which merchant vessels likely to be required under present plans in any future emergency might be designed, modified or equipped to fit them for a role in support of naval or military forces or for self-defence. The working party will advise on the implications of fitting a range of equipment including chaff dispensers and lightweight Sea Wolf.