HC Deb 20 February 1989 vol 147 cc441-2W
Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about the role of the Armilla patrol.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Armilla patrol is continuing to provide reassurance to British merchant shipping in the Gulf by independently patrolling international waters and remaining immediately available to go to their protection if necessary. Royal Navy ships will remain in the Gulf for as long as we judge that there remains a job to be done upholding freedom of navigation there.