§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how far the Stena Sea Lynx was from Fishguard at the commencement of Operation Seafire on 17 October;
(2) how far and on what bearing Stena Sea Lynx drifted during Operation Seafire on 17 October;
(3) how far and on what bearing the pick-up point was for West Glamorgan firefighters during Operation Seafire on 17 October from RAF Chivenor;
(4) at what time West Glamorgan fire brigade vehicle registration No. F993 YWO boarded Stena Sea Lynx during Operation Seafire on 17 October.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 2 December 1994]: These are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 5 November 1994:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions as the questions deal with operational matters, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.The Stena Sea Lynx was 7.5 Nautical Miles from Fishguard at the commencement of exercise SEAFIRE. Regrettably, the position previously given in answer to PQ 90/94/95 was incorrect. The correct position was 52 08N 004 56W.The distance that the Stena Sea Lynx drifted during the exercise SEAFIRE was not recorded. The vessel was maintaining her approximate position using her engines.The pick-up point for West Glamorgan firefighters during the exercise SEAFIRE was 015 degrees True, 37.5 Nautical Miles from Chivenor.The West Glamorgan fire brigade vehicle registration number F993 YWO, with one fire office in attendance boarded Stena Sea Lynx between 0515 and 0600. The vehicle was the target vehicle supposedly containing chemicals as part of the exercise scenario.