§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships are(a) being refitted and (b) preparing to be refitted; and when the refit work is due to (i) commence and (ii) finish. [52892]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 26 April 2002]: There are four Royal Navy surface warships currently in refit. These are:
- HMS Invincible—aircraft carrier
- HMS Liverpool—type 42 destroyer
- HMS Gloucester—type 42 destroyer
- HMS Monmouth—type 23 frigate.
HMS Manchester—type 42 destroyer and HMS Iron Duke—type 23 frigate are undertaking post refit activities and trials prior to returning to the fleet.
In addition to the refits listed above HMS Marlborough—type 23 frigate is currently undergoing a docking period that will complete later this summer.
There are no Royal Navy surface warships currently undertaking preparations for a refit.
The exact dates on which refits will complete will depend on progress and emergent work. However, HMS Liverpool is expected to complete her refit shortly and the other refits will complete by mid 2003.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects the first cutting of metal for(a) HMS Daring, (b) HMS Dauntless and (c) HMS Diamond; and when these ships will be launched; [52896]
(2) when the design work for the Type 45 destroyers will be completed. [52897]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 26 April 2002]: Design and fabrication details are matters for the Type 45 prime contractor, BAE Systems Electronics. However, under current plans, design work will essentially be complete in autumn 2003 and the expected first cutting of metal and launch dates for the first three ships are as follows:
Vessel Cut steel Launch HMS Daring Spring 2003 Spring 2005 HMS Dauntless Autumn 2004 Spring 2007 HMS Diamond Spring 2005 Summer 2007