Royal Fleet Auxiliary (Hansard, 16 May 2003)

Dr. Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects(a) RFA Largs Bay and (b) RFA Lyme Bay to enter service. [112270]

§ Mr. Ingram
The First of Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary), RFA Largs Bay, is expected to enter service in autumn 2004. RFA Lyme Bay is due in service by summer 2005.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of Royal Navy minehunters during the Gulf conflict. [112272]

§ Mr. Ingram
During the recent conflict with Iraq the Mine Countermeasures Vessels HMS Ledbury, HMS Grimsby, HMS Sandown, HMS Brocklesby, HMS Blyth and HMS Bangor operated as part of a combined UK/US Task Unit under the Command of a United Kingdom Mine Countermeasures Commander. Their role was to clear the approaches to the Iraqi primary commercial port of Umm Qasr of any sea mines to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered as quickly as possible.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of RFA Argus during the Gulf conflict. [112269]

§ Mr. Ingram
During the recent conflict with Iraq, RFA Argus provided support to the Amphibious Task Group and operated as the Primary Casualty Reception Facility, providing for the medical needs, both routine and emergency, of Service and displaced personnel