Engines,
I believe he's talking about the fuel dump issues reported in the media back in January.
163627
As pointed out there is lots that carriers can do even without an embarked fixed wing force, although you can do even more with one.
I still think we missed a trick not using Ark Royal with the aircraft embarked for Auriga 10 deployment: SK7, Merlin, Lynx and Harrier GR9 (with Sniper recce pod and Rover) in the anti piracy role. C & C platform, good area coverage, good mix of size and armament of helos covering a multitude of options, FJ with good recce capability and live downlink to the CVS ops room and A-G weapons if needed.
Ark also did a lot of the work up of the Apaches during the Autumn Joint Warrior 10, paving the way for HMS Ocean and Op Ellamy. Little remembered but important none the less!