HC Deb 16 June 1999 vol 333 cc146-7W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the refit of HMS Southampton will be completed; and at what cost. [86450]

Mr. Spellar

HMS Southampton is currently on Sea Trials following her refit and will return to operational service in Autumn this year. As is normally the case, the sea trials will be followed by a period of defect rectification work. Expenditure to date is about £37 million, but the total project cost will not be known until any additional work is complete.