To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the strategic implications of the decline in the number of British Merchant Navy vessels. (149882)

[holding answer 18 July 2007]: No formal assessment has been conducted recently. The MOD’s strategic shipping requirements are met initially by the six British flagged and manned roll-on roll-off vessels provided under a private finance initiative.

Additional requirements are met under reciprocal arrangements with allies and from the wider commercial market.

The recent House of Commons Defence Committee enquiry into Strategic Lift, whilst noting the good arrangements for securing additional sealift, recommended that the MOD undertake an analysis of the reducing commercial shipping market. The MOD is currently considering its response to this recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the ability of (a) the Merchant Navy and (b) the UK maritime skills base to provide adequate strategic assets to support future operations. (151524)

No formal assessment has been conducted recently. The MOD’s strategic shipping requirements are met initially by the six British flagged and manned roll-on roll-off vessels provided under a private finance initiative. Additional requirements are met under reciprocal arrangements with allies and from the wider commercial market.

The recent House of Commons Defence Committee inquiry into Strategic Lift, while noting the good arrangements for securing additional sealift, recommended that the MOD undertake an analysis of the reducing commercial shipping market. The MOD is currently considering its response to this recommendation.