HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc563-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made of the danger the(a) HMS Triumph and (b) crew of HMS Triumph were in as a result of the incident which led to the court martialling of Lieutenant Ian Tabberer and Lieutenant Ashley Philpott; and if he will make a statement. [23303]

Mr. Ingram

The damage to HMS Triumph was minor. She surfaced normally and proceeded to the nearest Naval Base without difficulty. Neither the ship's company nor HMS Triumph were at any risk as a result of the grounding.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities for service are left in the Royal Navy for Lieutenant Ian Tabberer and Lieutenant Ashley Philpott; and if he will make a statement. [23304]

Mr. Ingram

Depending on the findings and sentence of the court-martial it is perfectly possible to continue a career in the Royal Navy. Any sentence would be taken into account, along with any other relevant factors, when considering aspects such as future appointments.

Mrs. Ann Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident involving HMS Triumph which took place on 19 November 2000 and on the nature, time scale and cost of repair work required. [24914]

Mr. Ingram

On Sunday, 19 November 2000, HMS Triumph made glancing contact with soft sand and shells on a shelving seabed when under way submerged. An immediate inspection was undertaken following which the boat proceeded on the surface to Faslane, as programmed. The superficial damage identified was repaired in January 2001 during a period of planned maintenance, at a cost of approximately £6,000.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action will be taken in regard to the Commanding Officer of HMS Triumph in relation to the events leading to the court martialling of Lieutenant Ashley Philpott and Lieutenant Ian Tabberer; and if he will make a statement. [23301]

Mr. Ingram

The Naval Prosecuting Authority, which is independent of the Chain of Command, considered all of the evidence of the Board of Inquiry following the grounding and specified, after careful consideration, those officers that were found to have committed offences that should be dealt with by way of court martial.