§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the(a) RFA O class, (B) T class and (c) Rover class fleet auxiliaries have been in service with the Royal Navy; and what plans he has to procure new fleet auxiliary vessels.
§ Mr. AitkenThe information is as follows:
- (a) The RFA 0 class consists of two fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1965, the other in 1966;
- (b) The RFA T class are no longer in service with the Royal Navy;
- (c) The RFA ROVER class consists of three fleet tankers, one of which came into service in 1970, the other two came into service in 1974.
In addition to the two new auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, Fort George and Fort Victoria, which are due to enter service in the next few months, we expect to invite tenders shortly for a feasibility study for the replacement of the O class front-line tankers. The study will look at a wide range of procurement options, with the replacement ships currently planned to enter service around the turn of the century. Additionally, a suitable tanker taken up from trade is planned to enter service before the end of the decade.