§ Valerie DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who authorised the use of HMS York and the Special Boat Squadron to monitor the motor vessel Simon de Danser in May 1997; and what their use for this purpose cost. [70630]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonI understand that in response to a request for assistance from HM Customs and Excise military assistance in support of this UK counter-drugs operation was authorised at Ministerial level by the previous Administration. The additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence, some £127K, were recovered from HM Customs and Excise.