§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to order a new class of ships for the Fisher Patrol Squadron. [121609]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 11 May 2000]: The Department's agreement with the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the provision of Fishery Protection services is kept under periodic review. As part of the normal planning process, the ordering of replacements for those vessels currently used in the Fishery Protection role will be considered as the vessels reach the end of their lives.