HC Deb 27 February 2003 vol 400 cc662-3W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the date of original build completion, (b) the date of acceptance into service, (c) the anticipated date of decommissioning, (d) the number of crew, (e) the stores carrying capacity where appropriate and (f) the ownership of (i) RFA Diligence, (ii) RFA Grey Rover, (iii) RFA Gold Rover, (iv) RFA Black Rover, (v) RFA Brambleleaf, (vi) RFA Bayleaf, (vii) RFA Orangeleaf, (viii) RFA Oakleaf, (ix) RFA Fort Rosalie, (x) RFA Fort Austin, (xi) RFA Fort Victoria, (xii) RFA Fort George, (xiii) RFA Argus, (xiv) RFA Sir Bedivere, (xv) RFA Sir Geraint, (xvi) RFA Sir Percivale, (xvii) RFA Sir Tristram, (xviii) RFA Sea Crusader and (xix) RFA Sea Centurion. [99147]

Mr. Ingram

The information requested is contained in the following table:

Ship Build completion date Date of acceptance into service Planned decommission date Crew complement Approximate stores capacity Ownership
Sir Percivale 1968 1968 2005 52 RFA 301 Embarked force Ammunition and cargo:600 sq m MOD vehicles: 14 Challenger tanks, 23 large vehicles, 62 Land Rovers or 20 cargo containers on tank deck; 34 large vehicles, 63 Land Rovers or 30 cargo containers on vehicle deck MOD
Sir Tristram 1967 1967 2004 51 RFA 238 embarked force Ammunition and cargo: 600 sq m MOD vehicles: 12 Challenger tanks, 56 Land Rovers or 26 cargo containers on tank deck;26cargo containers on tank deck; 31 large vehicles, 67 Land Rovers or 33 cargo containers on vehicle deck MOD
Sea Crusader 1996 1996 2003 18 RFA 2,300 lane metres capacity Nouvelles Orientations

Note:

Sea Centurion was leased from Ocean Arrow and was returned to her owners in 2002.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to(a) replace and (b) add to vessels in the RFA fleet; and if he will make a statement. [99293]

Mr. Ingram

The Royal Navy decommissioned two O-class RFA Fleet tankers during financial year 2000–01: RFA Olwen (commissioned in 1965) and RFA Olna (commissioned in 1966). Two new Wave-class Auxiliary Oilers (AO) RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler are expected to enter service in early spring this year.

On current plans four of the five Landing Ships Logistics, RFA Sir Geraint, Sir Tristram Sir Percivale and Sir Galahad are expected to be replaced by four larger and more capable Bay Class vessels in 2004 and 2005.1 also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 February 2003, Official Report, column 514W, to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr. Lewis).