§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will be made from the early withdrawal of HMS Fearless. [49765]
§ Mr. IngramThe earlier than previously planned withdrawal of HMS Fearless will accrue savings of at least £2 million. This will be achieved by cancelling a previously programmed assisted maintenance period and through the reduction in operating costs. Moreover, HMS Fearless is nearly 37 years old and is in poor material condition. The unique nature of much of her machinery such as boilers and steam plant make repairs and maintenance difficult and it is highly probable that further unprogrammed and potentially costly work would have been required to maintain her at the previously assumed readiness state.