Written question asked by Frank Dobson (Labour) on Monday, 21 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 March 2011. It was answered by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 March 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

HMS Ark Royal

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reverse the decision to withdraw HMS Ark Royal and its Harrier aircraft.

Answer: [holding answer 28 March 2011]: No. In the context of the budgetary position we inherited from the previous Government, the strategic defence and security review set out the arguments underpinning the Government's decision to decommission HMS Ark Royal and remove the Harrier from service. It would have been unsustainable to retain a fleet of four fast jet types over the next decade.Recent events in North Africa have shown that the UK has extensive basing and over-flying rights to enable the full and effective projection of air power overseas with our Typhoon and Tornado fleets. Harrier aircraft cannot carry the range of weapons and reconnaissance capability that has been required for missions over Libya.

Secondary information