§ Sir Patrick Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, following experience gained in Exercise Bold Gannet, he will speed up the design and construction of specialised landing assault ships for the Royal Marines.
§ Mr. LeeThe assault ships HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid are planned to remain in service until the mid-1990s. However, as I said in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend yesterday, we are studying the requirement for amphibious shipping in the longer term and account will, of course, be taken of the recent exercise Bold Gannet.