-Caveat Lector- >From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml? xml=/news/2002/11/01/nships01.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/11/01/ixnewstop.html
Half of Britain's warships in dock By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent and George Jones, Political Editor (Filed: 01/11/2002) Almost half the Royal Navy's 36 warships will be unavailable for operations in the Gulf because of the firemen's strike, accidents, routine refits and attempts to save money. The Government admitted yesterday that seven destroyers and frigates would have to be kept in dock because crew members will be standing in for striking firemen. Click to enlarge That alone means the Government will be unable to fulfil its commitment, made in the 1996 Strategic Defence Review, to keep 26 destroyers and frigates available for operations at all times. But a further five destroyers and frigates are also out of action, as are two of the Navy's three aircraft carriers and Ocean, the helicopter carrier which carried elements of 3 Commando Brigade during the war in Afghanistan. The news follows the decision to pay off the Type-22 frigate Sheffield, which has returned to Devonport for the last time, and leaked plans to axe up to five more frigates and destroyers as well as four minehunters. In response to questions from Gerald Howarth, the Tory defence spokesman, Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces minister, admitted that seven destroyers and frigates would be withdrawn during the firemen's strike. Mr Howarth said the "mainstay" of Britain's maritime force was laid up and the operational duties of other ships were being disrupted because of the strike threat. "The Government has made no allowance for the unexpected," he said. "If there is a sudden requirement for a British naval presence how could we possibly respond? Would it be a choice between saving lives at home or fighting a war on terror?" The seven ships forced to remain in dock because of the strike are the Type-42 destroyers Exeter, Manchester and Newcastle and four Type-23 frigates: Kent, Lancaster, Norfolk and Portland. Two more of the Navy's 11 destroyers are out of action. Nottingham, crippled after hitting a rock off Australia, is being brought home prior to a decision on scrapping her and Gloucester is being refitted. The Type-23 frigates Monmouth and Montrose, are also undergoing refits while St Albans was put out of action when it was hit by a ferry during the weekend storms. Sheffield has been paid off to save �20 million a year. A Navy spokesman insisted that the fact that the seven destroyers and frigates were in port for the firemen's strike did not mean they were not available for other operations. "If the chips are down you get the crew back and get the ship out of port." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; I don't believe everything I read or send (but that doesn't stop me from considering it; obviously SOMEBODY thinks it's important) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/ctrl@;listserv.aol.com/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/ctrl@;listserv.aol.com/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
