§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the net additions to or subtractions from the fleet, namely, new ships commissioned less ships being sold, scrapped or put on disposal lists, for cruisers, destroyers and frigates, respectively, for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; and what is his estimate for 1984.
88W
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1984, c. 663]: Net alterations to the numbers of cruisers, destroyers and frigates for the years in question are set out below. The figures for each year relate to ships, on the one hand, withdrawn from the active fleet and, on the other, accepted into service in that year. The figures also include ships withdrawn from the active fleet in the years 1980 to 1982, restored to operational service in 1982, and planned to be withdrawn again before the end of 1984.
Cruisers Destroyers Frigates 1979 -1 +2 +2 1980 -1 +1 -8 1981 0 0 -1 1982* 0 0 +3 1983 0 -1 -1 1984† 0 0 -4 * Includes 4 war losses. †Estimate. Note: Ships withdrawn from the active fleet comprise those sent for disposal by sale or scrap and those assigned to the standby squadron; ships in refit are excluded.