HC Deb 11 December 2001 vol 376 cc740-1W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training exercises have been carried out by the armed forces(a) in and (b) from Gibraltar during the last three years; and how many of these were (i) Royal Navy (ii) RAF (iii) Army and (iv) all services. [22125]

Mr. Ingram

About 300 training exercises have been carried out by the UK armed forces in and from Gibraltar during the last three years. Of these, five exercises each year are conducted off Rock by Gibraltar-based forces. Around 30 each year were maritime based including maritime/air and amphibious exercises, 50 predominantly Army and the remainder joint exercises.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships have docked in Gibraltar in the last three years. [22126]

Mr. Ingram

149 Royal Navy ships have docked in Gibraltar since April 1998.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are based in Gibraltar. [22127]

Mr. Ingram

The Army presence on Gibraltar comprises 400 regular and reservist members of the Gibraltar Regiment plus around 60 UK-based Army personnel in a range of other posts.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effect in military activity in and around Gibraltar as a result of the Brussels process. [22128]

Mr. Ingram

Military activity on and around Gibraltar has not been affected by the recent Brussels process discussions.