HC Deb 14 July 1983 vol 45 cc414-5W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton on 28 June, Official Report, c. 49, how many Army personnel serving in tile Falkland Islands are being accommodated in (a) private houses, (b) tents, (c) portakibins or other specially constructed accommodation, (d) Her Majesty's ships at anchor and (e) coastels; and by what date all personnel will be accommodated in solid structures, other than those involved in special duties in remote parts of the islands, or on exercises or lengthy patrols.

Mr. Stanley

Accommodation is provided in solid structures, ashore or in ships and coastels, for all Army personnel serving in the Falkland Islands. About 50 are accommodated in tents for short periods only, for operational reasons. I cannot give information which would reveal details of our force levels.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Prime Minister's reply of 28 June to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton, Official Report, c. 49, how many personnel of Royal Air Force Port Stanley are still accommodated in tents; and when they will be moved into coastels or other more satisfactory accommodation.

Mr. Stanley

There are 16 personnel of Royal Air Force Stanley currently accommodated in tents. Twelve of these have been offered alternative accommodation in a coastel. The remaining four continue to live in tents for operational reasons.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much drinking water has been shipped to the Falkland Islands from New Zealand since the ending of hostilities; which ships are being used to carry such water; how long it takes to transport the water from New Zealand; who is responsible for making the arrangements for such supplies; and what are the costs involved.

Mr. Stanley

Twelve thousand tonnes of water has been shipped from New Zealand in MV Herta Maersk, as result of arrangements made between the Ministry of Defence and the Auckland port authority. The voyage from New Zealand to the Falklands took 16 days. It is not the practice to disclose the costs of individual contracts for reasons of commercial confidentiality.