§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence which new Royal Fleet Auxiliaries will come into service before the end of 1984 to replace the three tankers and two storeships which are at present planned to be withdrawn from service in that period; and what is the percentage reduction in the number of ships of each of the two types in service as a result of these changes.
§ Mr. PattieNo new Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are under construction at present. We are, however, keeping our future requirements—including chartering and plans for disposals—under review against the need to provide adequeat support for the surface fleet.