§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What factors would need to be taken into account in a decision to recover HMS "Ark Royal" from a state of extended readiness and bring her back into commission. [HL721]
§ Lord BachThe Royal Navy aircraft carriers (CVS) are programmed on an operational readiness cycle, with each ship held at a different level of operational availability according to its position in the cycle. At the time plans were drawn up to place HMS "Ark Royal" in a state of reduced readiness, it was recognised that before returning to operations she would require a period of repair and maintenance (upkeep) to restore her material state. Following this planned upkeep period, it is currently intended that HMS "Ark Royal" will complete a period of training for her ship's company and embarked air group to bring her to the required state of operational readiness to allow her to be employed on fleet tasking in 2007.