§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to deploy low frequency active sonar to detect quiet submarines; and what the timescale is for its deployment. [124534]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 10 July 2003]I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 516W, 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 47W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) on 13 May 2003, Official Report, column 159W. The only low frequency active sonar currently planned for deployment with the Royal Navy is Sonar 2087. It is expected to enter service from 2006 onwards. It will be fitted to the Type 23 Frigates as part of their normal refit programmes.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he is undertaking into the effects on the UK marine environment of the use of low frequency active sonar. [124535]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 10 July 2003]I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 November 2002,Official Report, column 69W, by my right hon. Friend 202W the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr. Moonie) to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders). The Ministry of Defence has a programme of research into the effects of active sonar generally, rather than Low Frequency Active Sonar in particular, and this is ongoing. This work is intended to inform Environmental Impact Assessments on marine environments in which sonars might be used by the United Kingdom, rather than in the specific context of UK territorial waters.