HC Deb 29 April 2004 vol 420 c1174W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of interference with Ministry of Defence navigational instruments from wind farms placed in UK territorial waters. [168234]

Mr. Caplin

I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risk to defence interests from the placement of wind farms around the UK coast. [168235]

Mr. Caplin

I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has been asked to fund navigational aids to prevent his Department's vessels colliding with windmills. [168238]

Mr. Caplin

There has been no formal requirement placed on the Ministry of Defence to fund navigational aids to prevent Royal Navy vessels and other MOD owned or operated vessels colliding with offshore wind farms. The cost of correctly marking these structures by navigational buoys and lights is the responsibility of the owner and, as such, must comply with standards defined by the Maritime Coastguard Agency in conjunction with the General Lighthouse Authorities (Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights).