HC Deb 17 June 1999 vol 333 cc212-3W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when(a) HMS Fearless and (b) HMS Intrepid will be taken out of service; and if he will make a statement. [85961]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 8 June 1999]On current plans, Fearless and Intrepid are due to be payed-off in 2001 and 2002, respectively. However, the pay-off dates are linked to the acceptance of the LPD(R)s, the replacement vessels, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. In the light of delays to the LPD(R)s, the pay-off dates for Fearless and Intrepid are under review.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on HMS Brave over the last two years; what is the cost of holding her in a state of extended readiness over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [86372]

Mr. Spellar

Maintenance work on HMS Brave in the two years to June 1999 has cost about £1.9 million. This includes the cost of preparations for extended readiness and the cost of the tow from Devonport to Portsmouth where the ship is now berthed. The estimated cost of maintaining HMS Brave at extended readiness for the next 12 months is about £0.4 million.

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