MPs doubt if Britain rules the waves
By Alex Stevenson
“Limited resources” are leaving civilian ships in British waters vulnerable to terrorist attack, MPs have warned.
A report out today from the Commons’ defence committee expresses concern about the level of action being taken to protect “critical national infrastructure, such as ports”.
It suggests the government should consider developing a specific deterrent capability in relation to civilian maritime targets.
“It need not necessarily be resourced by the military, but we are not satisfied that an intelligence-led approach is sufficient,” the report concludes.
In October last year a “motley” collection of vessels was deployed for this purpose, the defence committee found.
Three Type-23 frigates and three Hunt-class minesweepers were the Royal Navy’s deployment tasked specifically with responsibility for national security.
Other bodies, including Ministry of Defence police craft, coastguards and the UK Boarder Agency, have also contributed. There are around 100 vessels in total operating.
“We do not question their competence or intention, but the extent to which they are properly resourced and coordinated,” MPs say.
They also found no single organisation has comprehensive responsibility for the maritime environment.
Security minister Lord West admitted to the committee the “tapestry in those offshore waters is highly complex”.
