§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when(a) HMS Ark Royal, (b) HMS Invincible and (c) HMS Illustrious are to be decommissioned. [45488]
§ Mr. IngramI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 January 2002,Official Report, column 125W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle).
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last Sea Harrier and RAF Harrier are to be taken out of service. [45490]
§ Mr. IngramI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 February 2002,Official Report, columns 1451–52W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer). Under the revised investment strategy for Joint Force Harrier, the Sea Harrier fleet will be withdrawn from service by 2006. The withdrawal of RAF Harriers from service will occur as they are replaced by the Future Joint Combat Aircraft and, on current plans, will be completed in 2015.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to convert one of the three aircraft carriers into a helicopter carrier after its decommissioning date. [45489]
§ Mr. IngramThere are currently no plans to convert an aircraft carrier into a helicopter carrier after decommissioning. All three of our aircraft carriers have the capability to operate as a Landing Platform Helicopter as a secondary role.