Ferries: Scotland
Question
Dave Doogan
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has received an official request for military aid to the civil authorities for Scottish ferry routes; and what (a) assets and (b) capabilities the armed forces have to provide such support.
Answer
In response to a request from the Scotland Office, Defence has deployed a Military Assessment Team to Scotland to investigate the feasibility of military assets providing a temporary replacement for the Corran ferry service. A Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request has not been received.
The UK's Armed Forces maintain a range of capabilities with the ability to transport assets across water, including landing craft and landing rafts. These are, however, not directly analogous to civilian ferry craft.