HC Deb 07 July 2000 vol 353 cc335-6W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational availability is of each of the Royal Navy's Fleet submarines. [129670]

Mr. Hoon

Of the Royal Navy's 12 Fleet (hunter-killer) submarines, six are operationally available and six are in refit, extended maintenance or repair.

Operational or engaged in preparing for service, trials or training
  • Sovereign
  • Superb
  • Splendid
  • Trafalgar
  • Turbulent
  • Triumph
Undergoing refit maintenance or repair
  • Sceptre
  • Spartan
  • Talent
  • Tireless
  • Torbay
  • Trenchant.

The specific operational readiness of each submarine is classified for security reasons and is being withheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.