Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 March 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 March 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Standing Naval Tasks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the standing naval tasks carried out by the Royal Navy in each year since 1997 and those scheduled for discontinuation.

Answer: The Royal Navy conducts a variety of naval tasks, either as standing strategic, home or overseas commitments, or as enduring contingent operations overseas. Except where stated, the tasks listed below have been maintained from 1997:Standing Strategic Tasks:"Strategic Deterrent""Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey"Standing Home Commitments:"Fleet Ready Escort""Mine Counter Measures Route Surveys""Fishery Protection""Northern Ireland Operations— task ended April 2005""Search and Rescue"Standing Overseas Commitments:"Defence and Security of Gibraltar, Falkland Islands and Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas""Atlantic Patrol Task (North)—formerly West Indies Guardship""Atlantic Patrol Task (South)—formerly South Atlantic Guardship""Standing NATO Naval Forces—combination of former Maritime Groups""Five Power Defence Arrangement—each year except 1998"Contingent Operations Overseas:"Op Telic (The Gulf)—formerly Op Armilla""Op Calash (Arabian Sea and Horn of Africa)—formerly Op Armilla""Arabian Gulf Ready Tanker"None of these tasks are scheduled for discontinuation.

Secondary information