Naval Deployment (Hansard, 13 March 2003)

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the tasks are of(a) 800 and (b) 801 NAS. [102570]

§ Mr. Ingram
800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons are currently engaged in non-operational tasking. Both squadrons are undertaking routine training and participating in routine exercises, at home and abroad, to maintain their capabilities in readiness for future tasking as required.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Naval Service personnel are(a) deployed and (b) warned to deploy. [102553]

§ Mr. Ingram
Approximately 26 per cent. of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines trained strength are currently on a range of operational deployments. On current plans, a further 13 per cent. are warned to deploy, including personnel warned for fire-fighting duties.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the French warships, Aconit and Primauguet, will join up with Naval Task Group 03. [102550]

§ Mr. Ingram
The French Ship (FS) Primauguet was integrated into the Naval Task Group (NTG) 03 between the dates 17 to 29 January 2003. There is currently no plan for FS Primauguet to re-integrate with the Task Group. While FS Aconit did participate in NTG 2000, there was never any intention for her to participate in NTG 03. A French Minehunter, FS Cassiopee, is currently assigned to Operational Armilla in the Gulf under United Kingdom Operational Command.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which operational warships are not(a) deployed on operations, (b) warned to deploy for operations, (c) preparing to deploy for operations, (d) allocated to 387W duties for Atlantic Patrol (North), Atlantic Patrol (South) and the Armilla Patrol, (e) held in port as part of Operation Fresco and (f) at sea because crew are on leave. [102565]

§ Mr. Ingram
Of the ships available for operations for the remainder of this year, HMS GRAFTON is not currently operational, warned to deploy on operations, preparing to deploy for operations, allocated to duties for Atlantic Patrol (North), Atlantic Patrol (South), the ARMILLA Patrol, held in port as part of Operation FRESCO or operational but not at sea due to crew on leave. A number of ships warned for operations later in the year are currently in United Kingdom waters or alongside in the UK undergoing training or maintenance or in support of Op FRESCO. These ships could be made available for alternative tasks if priorities changed.