HL Deb 01 February 1988 vol 492 c984WA
The Earl of Bessborough

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they plan next to deploy a Royal Navy task group beyond the NATO area.

Lord Trefgarne

I am glad to say that we plan to deploy a Royal Navy task group to the Far East, Australia and the Indian Ocean area, leaving the UK in June. The group, which will be led by HMS "Ark Royal" will represent the Royal Navy at the fleet review in Sydney to celebrate the Australian bicentenary. It will spend some six months on deployment, before returning to the UK in December. Detailed planning of the deployment is still in progress. Further details, including visits to particular countries by ships of the group, will be announced in due course.