§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to start on the recently ordered landing platform for helicopters; and when he expects the vessel to be in operation with the Royal Navy.
§ Mr AitkenDesign work on the LPH commenced with the award of contract. Fabrication of the vessel is due to begin in the middle of next year with acceptance from the shipbuilder due in 1997. The ship will become operational in early 1998 following a period of trials.