NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 208
Mr L.J. Tolo (COPE) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Whether her department has put into effect increased naval patrols and
vigilance on the coastline as a result of the advancing threat of Somali
pirate activity; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) contingency
budgets in light of the decrease in spending in the 2008-2009 frigate and
submarine programme and (b) further relevant details (NW 226E).
REPLY
The Department is unable to answer this question without endangering the
security of the State. The Department would be able to answer this question
at the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) as classified
information.