§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence which of the frigates and destroyers currently planned to be withdrawn from the active fleet before the end of 1984 are to be placed in the standby squadron; and where the standby squadron is to be located following the closure of the Chatham naval base.
§ Mr. BlakerI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Sir P. Wall).—[Vol. 30, c.284.] The standby squadron will be transferred from Chatham to Portsmouth.
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§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many frigates and destroyers are currently in the Royal Navy; and how many of these are on the active list.
§ Mr. Blaker58 frigates and destroyers are currently in service in the Royal Navy. Five of these are undergoing long refit or conversion; none is in reserve.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence which new frigates and destroyers will come into service before the end of 1984 to replace the 19 ships of these types which are at present planned to be withdrawn from service in the active fleet in that period; and what is the percentage reduction in the number of naval ships of these two types in the active fleet as a result of these changes.
§ Mr. PattieOur latest assessment indicates that seven new destroyers and frigates will join the fleet by the end of 1984. The medium term size of the destroyer-frigate force—including plans for disposals—is being kept under review against the background of the policy announced last year and of possible needs after the Falklands operation.