§ Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give a breakdown of the different items which contribute to the total cost of a mid-life refit of a Leander type frigate.
§ Mr. BlakerOn average, some 75 per cent. of the dockyard total production cost of the mid-life refit of a Batch III "Leander" class frigate would be in respect of modernisation. The remaining 25 per cent. represents the cost of rectifying defects and carrying out planned maintenance so as to restore the material state of the vessel to enable her to be run on for the balance of her planned life.
§ Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated operational life of a Leander class frigate on the assumption that the vessel does not undergo a mid-life refit.
§ Mr. BlakerMost have already had a mid-life major refit or are currently receiving one. The total life of the remainder will depend on their material state but is estimated to be not less than 17 years.