Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the US Mark 54 torpedo is as effective operationally and intrinsically safe as Stingray.

The UK is buying the P-8A through a Foreign Military Sales arrangement with the US Government and the US Mark 54 torpedo is the weapon that is fitted to the aircraft. I am withholding details of the operational effectiveness of the US Mark 54 torpedo as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.