§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether, in view of the statement by a spokesman of his Department during the week beginning 21 March that the spokesman surmised that British intelligence would be doing its utmost to find out what frequencies sleeping torpedoes and telemines will operate on so that they could be jammed, he will instruct official spokesmen not to speculate on the role or operations of the intelligence services;
194W(2) to what extent he has assessed the capabilities of telemines or sleeping torpedoes in south Atlantic conditions; and whether he is satisfied that adequate counter measures are available to Her Majesty's forces;
(3) what indications he has that telemines or sleeping torpedoes were located in Falkland Islands waters by Argentine forces; in which areas; and what steps are being taken to neutralise them.
§ Mr. BlakerThe telemine is still under development. There is no evidence that it has been laid in Falkland Islands waters. Assessment of the weapon is continuing and countermeasures would be available if required. Official statements are subject to normal security considerations.