§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of HMS Tireless during its voyage to the United Kingdom for the completion of repairs; and if he will make a statement. [147403]
§ Mr. SpellarWe plan to complete the repairs to Tireless in Gibraltar. However, stringent safety measures apply to all sailings of nuclear submarines. All crews are trained to meet those exacting standards.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has given to the Spanish Government about the extent of damage to HMS Tireless; and what undertakings he has given the Spanish Government about(a) the programme and location of the repairs and (b) the date of departure from Gibraltar of HMS Tireless; and if he will make a statement. [147402]
§ Mr. SpellarWe have maintained a substantial flow of information to both the Spanish Government and the Spanish Council of Nuclear Safety (CSN) throughout the repair, and will continue to do so.
The Spanish Government have been advised of our plans for the repair to HMS Tireless, and that it is our intention to complete the repair in Gibraltar by the end of March and for the submarine to leave Gibraltar as soon as possible thereafter.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his decision to select 19 May 2001 as the deadline for the removal of HMS Tireless from Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [147401]
§ Mr. SpellarOur intention is to complete the repair by the end of March and for the submarine to leave Gibraltar as soon as possible thereafter. Precise timing will depend on progress with the repair.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice the United Kingdom Government have tendered to the Government of Gibraltar about the 65W implications for the territory of sustained opposition to the presence of HMS Tireless at Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [147400]
§ Mr. SpellarThe United Kingdom Government have had continuing and extensive discussions with the Government of Gibraltar over HMS Tireless, but has not given specific advice on the issue raised by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress of work on repairs to HMS Tireless, and the expected date and location of completion of the repairs. [147404]
§ Mr. SpellarPreparatory work on HMS Tireless has been completed and the repair is under way. HMS Tireless is alongside in Gibraltar and it is our intention to complete the repairs in Gibraltar by the end of March.