§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the bombing of the Ark Royal aircraft carrier by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier during a training exercise on 20 April; what will be the cost of repair to the ship; and what steps have been taken to avoid a repeat of such an accident.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonDuring a routine training exercise on 20 April a small practice bomb, released by a Sea Harrier aircraft, struck and penetrated the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal. The exercise involved the practice bombing of a surface target which was being towed some 500 yards astern of Ark Royal.
There were six casualties who suffered injuries, mainly burns; damage to the ship was minor. Immediate repairs were carried out allowing the ship to proceed with its task; further repairs are being undertaken during the ship's current stay in Portsmouth. The cost of these repairs is around £60,000.
A board of inquiry was convened and its final report is awaited. The board of inquiry will make recommendations on any action which it considers necessary; in the interim, as a prudent precaution, all Royal Navy Sea Harrier practice bomb attacks against towed targets have been suspended.