HC Deb 26 January 1989 vol 145 cc752-3W
Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average cost of maintaining(a) a minesweeper and (b) a frigate, per annum.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The average annual operating costs of a minesweeper and a frigate are some £2 million and £4.2 million respectively. These costs include personnel costs, fuel, spares and so on, and administrative support services, but excludes capital equipment costs and refit-repair expenditure.