HC Deb 16 November 1987 vol 122 cc454-7W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of fuel for Exercise Purple Warrior.

Mr. Ian Stewart

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 6 November, at column 934. Financial provision for fuel for exercises such as Purple Warrior is included in overall allocations and is not separately identified.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether civilians taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior are entitled to compensation in the event of injury or death;

(2) how many Warsaw pact representatives have been officially observing Exercise Purple Warrior;

(3) how many civilian ships are taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior; and what types of vessel they are;

(4) how many civilians are being used as refugees in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(5) whether the armaments on all the Royal Navy vessels taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior were fully operational at the start of the exercise;

(6) whether the computer-assisted communication equipment on all the Royal Navy vessels taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior was fully operational at the start of the exercise;

(7) whether the computer-assisted command control and warning system on board all the Royal Navy vessels taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior was operational at the start of the exercise;

(8) which type 42 destroyers are taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(9) which batch III type frigates are taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(10) if he will list the numbers and types of Army vehicles taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(11) if he will list the Army and Royal Marine units taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(12) if he will list the numbers and types of Royal Air Force aircraft taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(13) if he will list the numbers and types of Royal Navy aircraft taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(14) which Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are taking part in Exercise Purple Warrior;

(15) what is the cost of chartering West German and Danish vessels for Exercise Purple Warrior;

(16) if he will make a statement on the outcome of Exercise Purple Warrior.

Mr. Ian Stewart

Exercise Purple Warrior is still in progress and it would be premature at this stage to make a statement on its outcome, although the initial indications are that it will prove to have been most successful. Nevertheless I can say now that the exercise was host for the first time on UK territory to observers under the terms of the Stockholm document. A total of 34 observers from 20 countries attended, 12 of whom were from Warsaw Pact countries. We welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the agreement and its role in lessening suspicion and mistrust, and hence improving security, in Europe.

The following Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are taking part in the exercise:

  • HMS Ark Royal
  • HMS Illustrious
  • HMS Intrepid
  • HMS Nottingham
  • HMS Manchester
  • HMS Active
  • HMS Minerva
  • HMS Ariadne
  • HMS Juno
    • 456
  • HMS Danae
  • HMS Otus
  • HMS Onyx
  • HMS Odin
  • HMS Leeds Castle
  • HMS Smiter
  • HMS Attacker
  • HMS Kellington
  • HMS Bronington
  • RFA Olwen
  • RFA Fort Austin
  • RFA Resource
  • RFA Olmeda
  • RFA Sir Tristram
  • RFA Sir Percivale
  • RFA Sir Bedivere
  • RFA Sir Geraint
  • RFA Sir Lancelot

Of these, HMS Manchester and HMS Nottingham are type 42 destroyers. No batch III type 22 frigates are yet in service with the Royal Navy. It is not our practice to comment upon the operational status of Royal Navy vessels.

Eleven civilian ships are taking part in the exercise, of which five are passenger ro-ros, four are vehicle ro-ros and two are semi-submersible ships. The West German and Danish vessels among this number were hired as part of a charter package. The cost of chartering these particular vessels is therefore not separately identified.

The following Royal Navy aircraft are taking part in the exercise:

  • 12 Sea Harrier
  • 29 Sea King
  • 6 Lynx
  • 8 Gazelle

The following RAF aircraft are taking part in the exercise:

  • 4 Phantom
  • 2 Nimrod
  • 6 Harrier
  • 6 Jaguar
  • 6 Buccaneer
  • 2 Canberra
  • Up to 15 C130 (Hercules)
  • 4 Chinook
  • 2 VC10
  • 3 Puma

The majority of Royal Marine and Army units taking part in the exercise form 3 Commando brigade and 5 Airborne brigade. Other forces involved, participating mainly in a support role, include elements of the following:

  • Royal Horse Artillery
  • Corps of Royal Engineers
  • Royal Corps of Signals
  • 1 Infantry Brigade
  • Army Air Corps
  • Royal Corps of Transport
  • Royal Army Medical Corps
  • Royal Army Ordnance Corps
  • Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
  • Corps of Royal Military Police
  • Royal Pioneer Corps

Approximately 1,890 Army vehicles are taking part in the exercise. Vehicles involved include 8 and 4-ton lorries, Land Rovers, Scorpion reconnaissance vehicles and engineer plant.

Ninety-six civilians volunteered and took part in evacuation operations earlier in the exercise. There are no plans for any other civilians to take part during the remainder of the exercise. I am not aware that any of these civilians have suffered injury or death as a result of their participation, but any claims arising from the exercise would be dealt with by my Department on the basis of any legal liability on the part of my Department.

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