§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason HMS Beaver is to be sold in a non-operational condition; and if he will make a statement. [139346]
§ Dr. MoonieThe 1998 Strategic Defence Review announced the reduction in the size of the surface flotilla including the decommissioning of some Royal Navy Batch 2 Type 22 frigates earlier than planned. HMS Beaver was the first of these. Despite strong efforts by the Disposal Sales Agency, no foreign navy customer was found for her before she became non-operational in March 1999. Offers of the ship in a regenerated condition have similarly found no customer. Any cost-effectively re-usable parts of the ship have been removed leaving sale for scrap as the most economical remaining option.