§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he has come to a decision with regard to the extension, refit, or replacement of HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he expects to announce a decision regarding the extension, refit or replacement of HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what factors he is taking into account in coming to a decision on the extension, refit or replacement of HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeHMS Intrepid is undergoing a refit at present; HMS Fearless is planned to have a similar refit in 1987.
As I said in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) on 24 July 1984, at column 601, we are currently examining the provision of future amphibious capability, including the question of replacing HMS Intrepid and HMS Fearless once they come to the end of their planned lives in the mid-1990s.