§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they have received from either NATO or the Chiefs of Staff on the subject of strategic lift (i.e., by sea), taking into account the requirements of the economy, and whether the shortfall in (a) ships and (b) crews lawfully available has increased or decreased over the past 10 years, and, if so, whether they will provide figures.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraAdvice to HMG about the strategic Sealift from either NATO or the Chief of Staffs is classified. Figures are not readily available to make a 10-year comparison but the number of ships available to the Sealift in 1983 and September 1988 were as follows:
Total Available 1983 568 1988 473 We have no reason to believe that economic requirements or the availability of suitable crews have affected the number of ships for this purpose. The number of ships which would actually be required would vary according to the assumptions made about their use and the nature of the threat faced by the alliance.