Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 13 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 January 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 20 January 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Naval units are deployed in the protection of (a) UK oilfields and (b) UK fishing grounds.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Naval units are deployed in the protection of (a) UK oilfields and (b) UK fishing grounds. [91231] Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy does not allocate units specifically for the protection of British oilfields. However, RN ships, including those on fishery protection duties, conduct many routine operations and exercises around the United Kingdom throughout the year and any of these ships could be diverted if required to meet a specific requirement. In addition, the fleet ready escort, a frigate or destroyer continuously available at a high state of readiness, is at short notice to respond to any incident in UK waters. The RN currently has seven ships allocated to the fishery protection squadron. These ships are deployed in accordance with Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs requirements and conduct fishery patrols throughout British fishery limits, excluding Scottish waters which are covered by the Scottish Fishery Protection Agency. HMS Lindisfarne, Guernsey and Atherstone are currently on patrol.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 91231; 398 c68W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Deployment Fisheries Protection Offshore structures Navy Offshore fixed structures Warships Patrol craft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk