§ 84. Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the value of the recent joint naval exercise in Oman in helping to ensure the safety of British seamen operating in the Gulf.
§ Mr. RentonThe combined manoeuvres held in November and December last year were part of Saif Sareea, a large scale Anglo-Omani exercise. It was not directly concerned with the protection of Gulf shipping606W and took place over a hundred miles from the Gulf. However the Royal Navy has increased its profile in the Gulf to provide reassurance and, if necessary, assistance to British merchant shipping.