§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give a breakdown by type of the 20 new surface warships referred to in Cmnd. 8288 as being brought into service over the next five years.
§ Mr. PattieTwo Invincible class carriers, seven type 42 destroyers, three type 22 frigates, seven advanced Hunt class mine counter-measures vessels and two offshore patrol vessels; a total of 21 surface ships are under construction at present and expected to be ready for service over the next five years. Three nuclear submarines and a sea bed operations vessel are also under construction. In430W addition we have announced our decision to order a further nuclear submarine, a type 22 frigate and five patrol craft for service in Hong Kong.