§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how old is HMS Endurance; what plans there are for its replacement; and what is the latest year planned for ordering a replacement.
§ Mr. NeubertThe hull of HMS Endurance is now 33 years old. She was converted to an ice patrol ship in 1967–68 and accepted into the Royal Navy in 1968. Her 1986 refit extended her life until at least the mid-1990s. A decision on her replacement is therefore not urgent.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether HMS Endurance's services have been offered to the Natural Environment Research Council's programme for researching global warming.
§ Mr. NeubertHMS Endurance contributes logistic support on an ad hoc basis to the programmes of the British Antarctic Survey, some of which are related to the Natural Environment Research Council's work on global climate change.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans to include HMS Endurance's facilities in the meteorological study on global warming.
§ Mr. NeubertHMS Endurance, like all Royal Navy vessels, carries equipment and personnel capable of performing meteorological observations. Results of these observations are sent to the Meteorological Office and the use of them contributes to the marine climatological database.