HC Deb 22 July 2002 vol 389 cc758-9W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the future of HMS Nottingham. [70786]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 18 July 2002]: Repair options for HMS Nottingham are still being considered.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if warships will be brought out of(a) reserve and (b) extended readiness to replace HMS Nottingham while she is out of service. [70785]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 18 July 2002]: No warships are in reserve at present. Decisions on whether to change the readiness state of other warships will be taken once we have a clear assessment of the damage to HMS Nottingham.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy warship will be deployed to replace the duties undertaken by HMS Nottingham. [70948]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 18 July 2002]: HMS Nottingham deployed for duties associated with the Five Power Defence Arrangements including Exercise Stardex. She was subsequently assigned to Coalition maritime operations in the Middle East, and was being held at notice for this purpose while deployed to the Asia Pacific region. She was also programmed to undertake a series of port visits in support of our defence diplomacy goals and wider security objectives in the region. It will not be possible to deploy another ship to undertake the full range of these duties. However, HMS York has been nominated as the ship held at readiness in support of the fight against terrorism, and options are being investigated for United Kingdom participation in Ex Stardex.