Written question asked by Ann Clwyd (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 May 1998. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 May 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer on 16th February 1998, 306 c482-4W, what was the nature of the exercises conducted by the Royal Navy with Indonesian forces in the South China Sea in 1997; and what was the cost of those exercises.

Answer: Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer on 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 483, what was the nature of the exercises conducted by the Royal Navy with Indonesian forces in the South China Sea in 1997; and what was the cost of those exercises. [41551] Dr. Reid: HMS Richmond visited Jakarta from 9 to 12 April 1997 as part of the Royal Navy's Ocean Wave 97 deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. She participated in a low-key, passing exercise (PASSEX) with a ship from the Indonesian Navy as she left Jakarta following the visit. The PASSEX comprised a communications exercise and practice approaches for replenishment at sea. HMS Richmond also gave a demonstration of her Lynx helicopter as she left port. Exercises of this type are routinely undertaken with host navies by Royal Navy ships either at the beginning or upon completion of a visit to an overseas port. No separate costings of this activity were made.

Secondary information