§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what studies his Department has undertaken on the probability of forward naval operations during a time of heightened international tension, or during a war; if he will list the scenarios considered in any such studies; and if he will place a copy of such studies in the Library;
(2) if the Royal Navy has prepared any plans for attacks against Soviet ballistic missile submarines stationed in the Barent and Norwegian seas for use in the event of war.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe tasks of the Royal Navy in tension and war are described in paragraphs 404 to 406 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987". My Department carries out a continuous programme of studies into the conduct of those tasks, but, in accordance with the practice of successive Governments, I am not generally prepared to disclose details of operational plans.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had discussions with his counterpart in the United States about United States naval plans contained in the United States maritime strategy, which calls for major forward naval operations to be undertaken against Soviet ballistic missile submarines in the Barent and Norwegian seas in the event of war.
§ Mr. Ian StewartMy right hon. Friend regularly holds discussions with the United States Secretary of State for Defence on a wide range of defence matters of mutual interest. It is not our general practice to disclose the details of such discussions.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British nuclear submarines have exercised during the last five years in support of United States naval vessels practising the naval operations called for by the United States maritime strategy, including exercises against simulated Soviet ballistic missile submarines.
§ Mr. Ian StewartRoyal navy nuclear-powered submarines regularly exercise with the navies of the United States and other NATO allies to practise their NATO wartime roles.