§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when HMS Ark Royal will redeploy to the United Kingdom; [110080]
(2) what have been the movement plans for HMS Ark Royal during 2003; and what changes there have been to these plans. [110079]
§ Mr. IngramHaving successfully completed Operation TELIC tasking, in her Landing Platform Helicopter role, HMS Ark Royal, together with her escort, HMS York and RFA Fort Victoria are on passage to the United Kingdom. Following a period of work with FA2 Harriers in the Mediterranean, HMS Ark Royal and accompanying ships will anive in the UK in mid May.
HMS Ark Royal originally deployed in January at the head of Naval Task Group 03, a long-planned deployment to the Gulf and Asia Pacific regions. NTG 03 formed part of the Royal Navy's contribution to Operation TELIC, but with the successful completion of the initial phases of operations, three of the NTG 03 units are able to re-deploy to meet some of their original commitments. It has however, been decided that the priority for HMS Ark Royal is to return to the UK to undertake necessary work to allow for her to be available as soon as possible for future tasking.