Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 January 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress the Government Office for the East of England, in conjunction with her Department, has made in ascertaining details of the acquisition, whereabouts and condition of the Fast Patrol Vessel Defender, donated by the Sultan of Oman to Lowestoft.

Answer: Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Government office for the east of England, in conjunction with her Department, has made in ascertaining details of the acquisition, whereabouts and condition of the Fast Patrol Vessel Defender, donated by the Sultan of Oman to Lowestoft. [207721] Mr. Alexander: The Government office has been informed of the condition of the vessel by Lowestoft Maritime Defence Museum Ltd., and that it has been sold. The company has reported that the condition of the vessel had deteriorated, and has provided a marine surveyor's assessment from December 2003 with details. The company has explained that it considered that maintenance of the vessel was not economically viable and decided to sell it.

Secondary information