HC Deb 26 January 1993 vol 217 cc643-4W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the refit of the royal yacht Britannia in 1987 was spent on(a) the superstructure, (b) the engines and (c) the royal apartments.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The work carried out during Britannia's refit in 1987 falls into the following categories:

Per cent.
Structure 22.0
Propulsion 7.2
Royal apartments 17.3
Other 53.5

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the annual costs published for the royal yacht Britannia include the cost of personnel; and what is the personnel cost for the latest available year.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The annual costs published for the royal yacht Britannia do include the cost of personnel. The personnel costs for 1991–92 were £3,904,000.

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned service life of the royal yacht Britannia.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

HMY Britannia had a routine refit in Portsmouth last year costing some £6 million to £7 million. This was designed to keep her safe, seaworthy and up to date for the next few years. In view of her age, it is obviously sensible to consider her future. This consideration is at an early stage and it is too soon to speculate as to its outcome.

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days the royal yacht Britannia was used by members of the royal family for public engagements and private purposes in each year since 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

During the period specified, HMY Britannia has been used by members of the royal family, as follows:

Total number of days
1989 55
1990 42
1991 31
1992 27

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many days the royal yacht Britannia was used for military manoeuvres in each year since 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

During the period in question HMY Britannia was not required to participate in military manoeuvres.

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many sea-days the royal yacht Britannia was used for conferences and seminars to attract business for Britain in 1991 and 1992.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

HMY Britannia hosted six such sea-days during the period in question, three in each year.

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