§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HMS Sheffield will be returned to operational service in 2004; and if she will continue as an operational warship until the end of the decade. [56699]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 16 May 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 874W, to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin). On current plans HMS Sheffield will return to service in September 2004 and will continue in operational service until towards the end of this decade.