§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), of 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 516W, on Type 23 frigates, if he will name the second six Type 23 frigates to be fitted with Sonar 2087; what plans there are for the remaining four frigates; and if he will make a statement. [128557]
§ Mr. IngramIt is not currently planned to select for another year or so the second six Type 23 Frigates likely to be fitted with Sonar 2087. The remaining four Frigates will continue to contribute to Royal Naval operations until the end of their scheduled service life, around the middle of the next decade, from which point they will be progressively withdrawn.