§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests have been made to him by the United States Government for the transfer of HMS Ark Royal from NATO exercises to an active role in the Gulf; and what was his response.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe have regular discussions with our United States allies on our contribution to the coalition forces in the Gulf, but no decision has been taken to deploy a Royal Navy carrier group to the region.