§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Fearless will be returned to service. [159721]
§ Mr. SpellarOn current plans, maintenance and repair work on HMS Fearless is due to be completed this summer. She will then be available for operational tasking.
§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what items have been taken from HMS Intrepid and used to replace equipment on HMS Fearless. [159714]
§ Mr. SpellarSince early 1998, numerous have been removed from HMS Intrepid and used to replace equipment on HMS Fearless. I will write to the hon. Member with a list of those items and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
HMS Intrepid is held at a low readiness state commensurate with force levels endorsed within the Strategic Defence Review. All the items that have been removed could be refurbished or replaced and she could, if necessary, be returned to operational service within the readiness profile agreed in the Strategic Defence Review process.
§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Invincible last put to sea; and when she is next scheduled to put to sea. [159717]
§ Mr. SpellarHMS Invincible last put to sea on 26 February 2001, to take part in the winter deployment exercise off Norway. She returned to Portsmouth on 30 March 2001. She is due to sail for Rosyth at the end of July in preparation for her forthcoming refit.
§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Ocean will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [159719]
§ Mr. SpellarHMS Ocean is currently undergoing routine maintenance and repair work. Subject to completion of this work, successful sea trials, and allowing for the summer leave period, the vessel will be available for full operational tasking in late summer.