§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of HMS "Fearless" and HMS "Intrepid".
§ Mr. NottI am glad to inform my hon. Friend that, following further work on the detailed re-shaping of the defence programme I have decided to keep the two assault ships HMS "Fearless" and "Intrepid" in service, enabling us to retain our existing capability to conduct flexible amphibious operations overseas. "Intrepid" and "Fearless" will also continue to be used for peacetime training of junior officers in place of two county class destroyers earmarked for this role, which will continue in service pending decisions later about their longer-term future. The net extra costs to the defence budget next year as a result of running-on "Fearless" and "Intrepid" will be of the order of £3 million.