Royal Navy (Courtesy Calls)

HC Deb 12 March 2001 vol 364 cc414-5W

Dr. Jack Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many courtesy calls and visits have been made by vessels of the Royal Navy to UK towns, cities and ports in each year since January 1997; what the duration was of each visit; and if he will list the port and vessel involved in each case. [153029]

Mr. Spellar

The total number of courtesy calls and visits by vessels of the Royal Navy to UK towns, cities and ports since January 1997, including operational stand-offs, affiliation, fishery protection and informal visits, is as follows:

	Number of visits
1997	377
1998	434
1999	381
2000	478
2001 (to date)	51

I am placing in the Library of the House a detailed list of the visits, showing the duration of the visit and the port and vessel involved in each case.