HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid

HC Deb 26 January 1996 vol 270 cc470-1W

Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when it is planned that new landing platform dock ships, replacing HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid; will enter service; [11852]

(2) when he plans to place an order for the ships to replace HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid. [11871]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The Ministry of Defence is currently in no acceptable price, no contract—NAPNOC—negotiations with VSEL to replace HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid. The size and timing of any order, and therefore the exact date of entry into service, depend on a satisfactory outcome to these discussions. Assuming this can be achieved, we would envisage entry into service around the turn of the century.