§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which(a) Type 42 destroyers and (b) Type 23 frigates are to be considered for removal from the fleet. [98233]
§ Mr. IngramI refer the hon. Member to the answers my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave on 30 April 2002,Official Report, column 745W to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) and on 7 November 2002, Official Report, column 458W to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth).
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been an acceleration since the completion of the Strategic Defence Review in the rate at which Type 42 destroyers are expected to be paid off. [98243]
§ Mr. IngramI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 November 2002,Official Report, column 457W, to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth). The Strategic Defence Review envisaged the progressive replacement of the capability provided by the Type 42 destroyer with a new vessel. The Type 45 destroyer is planned to come into service from 2007. On this basis, there has been no advancement of the Type 42 destroyers'expected pay off dates since the completion of the SDR.