Atlantic Conveyor (Hansard, 5 July 1995)

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he made of the importance of the former Atlantic Conveyor to the Falklands campaign. [31720]

§ Mr. Soames
The Atlantic Conveyor played an important role in the Falklands conflict. The ship ferried vital naval Sea Harrier and RAF Harrier aircraft to the aircraft carriers. Her subsequent loss, with that of a number of naval and RAF helicopters and much urgently required stores still embarked, was a severe blow.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between his Department and Cunard Steamship Company concerning the defence implications of the company's intention to sell the Atlantic Conveyor. [31732]

§ Mr. Soames
No discussions have taken place between my Department and the Cunard Steamship Company.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements were made for the availability to his Department of the Atlantic Conveyor since 1982. [31719]

§ Mr. Soames
The agreement between the Cunard Steamship Company and my Department covering the availability of the Atlantic Conveyor for defence purposes expired in January 1995. It is not my Department's policy to release the details of such agreements.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department was first notified by Cunard Steamship Company about its intention to sell the Atlantic Conveyor to a foreign owner. [31731]

§ Mr. Soames
The Cunard Steamship Company formally notified my Department of its intention to sell the Atlantic Conveyor in a letter dated 2 June 1995.
272W

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the financial contribution made by his Department towards the building of a replacement for the Atlantic Conveyor lost in the Falklands War. [31733]

§ Mr. Soames
The financial contribution made by my Department is commercially confidential.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to ensure the continued availability of the Atlantic Conveyor for Britain's armed forces following her intended sale to a foreign bidder. [31718]

§ Mr. Soames
None.