§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a replacement ship has been sent to cover the mission of HMS Nottingham. [73703]
§ Mr. IngramA direct replacement ship will not be sent to cover the remaining parts of Nottingham's programme.
As I stated in my answer of 22 July 2002, Official Report, column 759W, to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray) HMS Nottingham deployed for duties associated with the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) 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. HMS York has been nominated as the ship held at readiness in support of the fight against terrorism.
RFA Diligence has been offered to take part in Exercise STARDEX, as an indication of United Kingdom's continued support to FPDA.