HC Deb 08 January 2001 vol 360 cc350-1W
Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2001 HMS Invincible will carry out her last operational duties at sea before refit. [144405]

Mr. Spellar

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December 2000,Official Report, column 185W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2002 HMS Ark Royal is expected to be declared fully operational. [144403]

Mr. Spellar

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 December 2000,Official Report, column 15W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possibility of acquiring advanced assault amphibious vehicles from the US for amphibious operations mounted from the Royal Navy's LPH or prospective LPDs and ALSLs; and if he will make a statement. [143350]

Mr. Hoon

We have no current plans to procure Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAAVs), which are about to enter a second stage of prototype development for the US Marine Corps and are not due in service there until 2006. UK amphibious operations are conducted using landing craft (such as the Landing Craft Utility) and helicopters to land vehicles, material and personnel of the Amphibious Task Force from the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH), Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) and Landing Ships Logistic (LSL). However, we continue to evaluate our amphibious requirements in the light of doctrinal developments, and are watching the AAAV programme with interest.