§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons HMS Orkney has been towed to Devonport from Portsmouth; and which organisation or department paid for the towing. [130442]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 13 July 2000]: HMS Orkney has been towed to Devonport to enable a Docking and Hull Survey to be undertaken. This is a prerequisite for the sale of HMS Orkney to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) who will have representatives in attendance during the survey exercise.
The Ships Support Agency, part of the Defence Logistics Organisation, has met the cost of towing the vessel and the survey exercise.