§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the refit of HMS Monmouth will be complete; what the total cost of the refit will be; when she will return to service; and if he will make a statement. [67143]
§ Mr. IngramHMS Monmouth's refit, including associated sea trials, is planned to complete in spring 2003, at which time the ship will be available for operational deployment. The final price of the refit is still in negotiation, and will he based upon the eventual work package that will emerge from ship surveys. However, it is expected to be in the region of £19 million.