Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what incursions into UK territorial waters by foreign vessels there have been since January 2011.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is just one organisation with a role in the security of the United Kingdom's (UK) territorial waters. To reflect this cross-Government responsibility, under the UK National Strategy for Maritime Security, a Ministerial working group, chaired by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has been established to focus on maritime security in its entirety.

Through the coordination of intelligence and information the National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC) provides the UK with a comprehensive picture of potential threats to UK maritime security and unified situational awareness of maritime activity in UK and international waters.

The MOD contributes to HMG's efforts by providing multi-layered capability to deter incursions into territorial waters. This is delivered through a combination of surface ships, submarines and aircraft, alongside close co-ordination and co-operation with other Government Agencies and our allies.

I am not prepared to disclose further details as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.