HC Deb 18 April 2002 vol 383 cc1077-8W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the main elements will be in the refit of HMS Illustrious; how long the refit was originally planned to take; and how long it is expected to take. [50874]

Mr. Ingram

The main elements of HMS Illustrious's refit concern maintenance, repair and improvements to ships systems and equipment to overcome obsolescence, meet safety and environmental legislation and enhance capability in command, control and communications systems and in aviation facilities.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 14W which indicated that the refit was originally planned to take about 23 months. Detailed negotiations with the refitting contractor are currently under way, and may result in some programme adjustment.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost of the refit of HMS Illustrious is. [50815]

Mr. Ingram

The refit of HMS Illustrious is estimated to cost approximately £110 million excluding costs attributable to Ministry supplied material and naval manpower.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 14W, on Navy vessels, how many (a) officers and (b) crew will remain on HMS Illustrious until her refit commences; what their duties will be; how often officers and crew will be redeployed; how many officers and crew will remain with HMS Illustrious during her refit; and what HMS Illustrious's reduced state of readiness will be until October. [50777]

Mr. Ingram

HMS Illustrious remains fully staffed as the Fleet Flagship until 27 May 2002. Following this her role changes to Standby Preservation by Operation. She requires 15 officers and 196 ratings in this role, whose duties will be essential safety checks, low level maintenance and preservation checks at her reduced state of readiness. On commencement of her refit the crew numbers reduce to nine officers and 36 ratings. Personnel will then be employed as required in support of the refit. They will be subject to normal drafting and appointing notice, but as a reduced manned ship will, as far as possible, be protected from short notice movement of personnel. HMS Illustrious will then gradually build up to achieve full manpower by October 2004.