§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What instructions are currently given to commanders of Royal Naval and allied submarines with a view to preventing collisions with fishing vessels and their nets; whether these will be improved and strengthened in view of recent incidents; and whether compensation has been paid in all cases to those who have suffered damage or loss.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)Royal Navy submarine commanders are of course trained in the avoidance of surface vessels of all kinds, including fishing vessels. In all cases where investigation has shown a RN vessel to be at fault a fair and reasonable settlement has been reached. We cannot comment on the procedures of allied navies.