To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 January, Official Report, column 526, to the hon. Member for Beverley (Mr. Cran) which tugs are to be replaced by the two new tugs ordered; whether any further tugs will be required oil the full entry into service of Vanguard class submarines; what is their nominal bollard pull; and if a decision has been made on their names.

The names for the new tugs are Impetus and Impulse, and the nominal bollard pull is 36 tonnes. These tugs will not replace specific existing tugs. The size and composition of the marine services vessels changes with the overall size and deployment of the fleet and the need to replace older vessels as they come to the end of their economic lives.