§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to put further Royal Navy vessels at states of low readiness. [52895]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 26 April 2002]: The plan to hold HMS Sheffield at extended readiness from November 2002 until September 2004 was declared on 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 34W.
On current plans, and commensurate with force levels endorsed within the SDR, HMS Invincible will be held at extended readiness from 2006 until she is withdrawn from service towards the end of this decade.
It has been decided that the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Glasgow will be placed at extended readiness from May 2002 to early July 2002. This will not affect the Royal Navy's ability to meet its current level of commitments during that priod.