Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 37, if he will list the movements and locations of the royal yacht Britannia during the Falklands' conflict; and what press releases or press advice were issued about its role during the conflict.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonDuring the period in question, HMY Britannia left her home port of Portsmouth to visit St. Nazaire between 22 and 27 April 1982, and Dover between 7 and 11 June 1982, in support of official royal engagements. It is not possible to provide the rest of the information requested without disproportionate cost.
Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where his Department first announced that the royal yacht Britannia was no longer considered necessary as a possible hospital ship.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Ministry of Defence concluded during late 1992 that there was no longer a requirement for Britannia to fulfil the war role of a hospital ship. We have confirmed this decision in response to specific inquiries, the first instance being by my Department's press office on 20 January 1993.