§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average annual cost is of maintaining and manning a through-deck carrier. [109861]
§ Mr. SpellarThe average cost of maintaining a through-deck carrier is currently assessed at some £17 million per annum. In addition the average cost of the ship's company is around a further £17 million per 35W annum, although such costs vary according to the phase of the ship's operating cycle. For example, while in refit the ship's company would reduce significantly, with the associated average annual manning cost reduced to some £2 to £3 million.