§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal naval vessels(a) scrapped, (b) sold, together with revenue received and (c) downgraded to reserve status in each of the past five years. [92961]
§ Mr. IngramThe major former Royal Naval vessels (named capital ships) sold by the Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Agency (DSA) in the last five years are listed as follows:
Year Vessels sold as scrap 2000–01 HMS Birmingham, HMS Beaver, RFA Olwen, RFA Olna 2001–02 HMS Herald Vessels sold (or otherwise transferred) on a Government-toGovernment basis or commercially 1998–99 HMS Soberton, HMS Egeria, HMY Britannia 1999–2000 HMS Kellington 2000–01 HMS Wilton, HMS Bicester, HMS Orkney 2001–02 HMS Bulldog, HMS Berkeley, HMS Orwell 2002–03 HMS Beagle, HMS London, HMS Coventry, HMS Shetland, HMS Alderney, HMS Anglesey, HMS Lindisfarne, HMS Guernsey The net revenue to the MOD received from these sales is approximately £26.5 million.
As well as these larger ships, numerous minor vessels have been sold commercially by the DSA or via the DSA's marketing agreements, such as tugs and marine support craft.
Additionally, Canada has acquired the four ex-RN Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight-year lease with an option for outright purchase. The first of the submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000 with the second submarine being handed over on 4 October 2001. The third submarine is to be handed over to Canada on 21 February 2003, with the fourth boat following later in 2003. Canada has exercised its option to purchase outright the first of the submarines, ex-HMS Unseen. The value of the lease to buy arrangement with Canada 308W (undertaken by the MOD's Upholder Programme), which includes the submarines, training and initial spares, is some 610 million Canadian dollars.
No Royal Naval vessels were put in reserve in any of the last five years.