Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy assets are currently deployed in the (a) Indian Ocean and (b) South China Seas.

Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Royal Navy currently has six surface ships deployed in the Gulf. These are HMS BROCKLESBY, HMS LEDBURY, HMS BLYTH, HMS SHOREHAM, HMS MONTROSE and RFA CARDIGAN BAY.

There are currently no surface ships deployed in the Arctic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

The Ministry of Defence does not release details of future deployments, nor comment on submarine operations, as to do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.