§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of frigates and destroyers that are currently fully operational in the fleet; and what were the comparable figures one and two years ago, respectively.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Royal Wavy currently has 51 frigates and destroyers in service of which the number currently operational or engaged in preparing for service or trials or training is 46 compared to 47 on 1 April 1986 and 46 on 1 April 1985.
§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many frigates and destroyers have been removed from the active fleet for each of the last three years; and how many were added to it over the same period.
§ Mr. StanleyThe information requested is as follows:
Calendar year Withdrawals from the active fleet Acceptances 1984 3 1 1985 4 3 1986 2 1
§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the future size of the total operational fleet of frigates and destroyers in the next three years.
§ Mr. StanleyAs my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement said to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 457W 1 March 1985 at column 299 it is not the practice to give details of the forecast operational availability of warships for specific years. It remains our intention to maintain a force level of about 50 frigates and destroyers.