§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vessels will be used to provide a heavy sea lift capability for the armed forces after the ending of the chartering arrangements for RFAs Sea Crusader and Sea Centurion. [147762]
§ Dr. MoonieI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 254W.
RFA Sea Crusader is being re-chartered from 1 February 2001 to 1 March 2003.
Motor Vessel Dart 10 is being chartered from 8 March 2001 to 1 November 2002.
A third vessel has yet to be chartered to replace RFA Sea Centurion on 18 April 2001. This vessel cannot be named until contractual negotiations have been concluded.