§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the proposed visit of HMS Avenger to Chile was cancelled; what would have been the additional fuel cost involved; what was the purpose of the proposed visit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt had originally been planned that HMS Avenger would return from patrol in the south Atlantic via the Pacific ocean and Panama canal, and that she would take the opportunity to pay an informal, goodwill visit to Chile later this month. In the light of constraints on fuel usage and of higher priority claims on the fleet's resources, including commitments in the Adriatic, however, it was decided Avenger should return directly to the United Kingdom via the Atlantic saving fuel costs of around £140,000.
The cancellation of the visit to Chile has not affected the close relations which exist between the Royal Navy and the Chilean Navy. Royal Navy ships have visited Chile regularly in the past and will continue to do so.