Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action was taken to rescue the fishing boat Summer Morn, from Portavogie, entrapped by a submarine in the Irish sea on Wednesday 18 February; whether his Department was in contact with the submarine; from which country the submarine originated; and what information he has as to what arrangements exist for compensation to be paid to the skipper for the loss of his fishing nets.
§ Mr. StanleyRN and RAF search and rescue Helicopters went to the scene of the incident and remained there until their presence was no longer required. It is not our practice to comment on specific aspects of submarine communications. The United States navy has said that one of its submarines was involved in the incident, and that anyone who feels that they may have experienced damages or losses as a result of this incident may submit an Admiralty claim to the US Navy in London.