NAVY DEPLOYMENT
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons there are no Royal Navy vessels on duty in the Far East. [191479]
Mr Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Royal Navy has no standing requirement to station a vessel permanently on duty in the Asia Pacific Region. Should there be a requirement, such as the deployment of HMS Daring and HMS Illustrious to the Philippines to support the disaster relief effort, the Royal Navy has a contingent capability to deploy to this region. HMS Daring also took part in the Royal Australian Navy's 100th Anniversary and a number of training opportunities in the Far East.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of vessels are assigned to UK contingency operations; and at what notice each such type of vessel is held. [191492]
Mr Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Royal Navy has a range of assets available at various states of readiness. We do not release information on the readiness levels of these units on the basis of safeguarding national security.