§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department's civilian Salvage and Mooring Organisation has the experience, resources, and training to carry out the Kursk operation; what expertise RN personnel have regarding the deep-water intervention activity necessary for this operation; and if he will make a statement. [142163]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Ministry of Defence's Salvage and Mooring Organisation would not have the lead on a rescue attempt similar to that undertaken for the Kursk. Instead 163W such an attempt would fall to our Submarine and Rescue Service based on the LR5 manned submersible and the Scorpio remotely operated vehicle. As I explained to the hon. Member in written correspondence, our Submarine and Rescue System has the capability to deal with rescue from depths of 400m and to angles of up to 60 degrees. I also refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 20 November 2000, Official Report, columns 7–8W and on 24 November 2000, Official Report, columns 336–37W.