§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 February,Official Report, column 639, what the naval manoeuvres were arranged; and if there was any liaison between his Department and officials of the Cabinet Office in arranging them. [19414]
§ Mr. SoamesThe naval activity which took place off the Ayrshire coast on 31 January 1997 was planned some 12 months in advance. There was no requirement for liaison with officials of the Cabinet Office. This was part of routine naval operations involving UK and NATO forces in UK territorial waters.