HC Deb 12 June 1989 vol 154 cc320-1W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many destroyers and frigates of the surface fleet were available for service at 24 hours notice on 1 June 1988, 1 January 1989 and 1 June 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Details of ships available for operations at precise periods of notice are classified. However, the table shows the total number of destroyers and frigates in service together with those that were available for operational deployment immediately or within a short period for each of the dates requested.

Number of DDIFF available for operational deployment immediately or within a short period
Total DD/FF in service Number
1 June 1988 47 40
1 January 1989 48 40
1 June 1989 47 40