§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence by which date a decision has to be made about the future lease or purchase arrangements for MV Polar Circle after the 1991–92 season.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonUnder the terms of the charter contract, an option to purchase Polar Circle or to extend the charter can be taken by the Government at any time before 24 January 1992.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what modifications he expects to be required on MV Polar Circle prior to her departure for Antarctica.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonPolar Circle requires modifications to add military communications equipment, to embark hydrographic equipment, and to provide suitable aviation facilities.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the charter for MV Polar Circle is(a) a bareboat charter or (b) a time charter.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonPolar Circle has been leased on a bareboat charter.
§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long is the lease taken out on the MV Polar Circle; if it remains his policy to retain a naval vessel in Falklands waters beyond April 1992; and if he will consider renaming MV Polar Circle, HMS Endurance for the duration of its lease.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonPolar Circle is currently under charter to the Royal Navy for a minimum of seven and a maximum of eight months to replace HMS Endurance for this season's deployment to the Antarctic. For the period of her present charter she will be commissioned as HMS Polar Circle. If she were to be accepted into the Royal Navy on a permanent basis, we would then consider the name she could carry through her service life. The Government have made clear their commitment to carry out for the foreseeable future the tasks formerly undertaken by HMS Endurance. Other naval vessels will continue to be deployed in support of our defence commitments in the Falklands Islands.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the maintenance of a long-term naval presence in Antarctica.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Government are committed to maintaining for the foreseeable future the programme of work previously carried out by HMS Endurance.