Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the role is of the lading platform (a) helicopter and (b) dock; and what differences to their operability there are when used (i) within and (ii) outwith an amphibious task group.

Within an Amphibious Task Group, the Landing Platform Helicopter delivers troops ashore by helicopter and landing craft. The Landing Platform Dock provides afloat command and control facilities required to deploy and sustain the Lead Commando Group ashore. Both also fulfill a variety of roles in support of wider Royal Navy operations, from warfighting to humanitarian and disaster relief.

It was stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 that a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier would be enhanced to support our amphibious capability. Together with the existing amphibious ships of the Royal Navy and the Bay Class ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, this will provide the capability to deploy our amphibious forces and support Royal Navy operations.