Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 September 2011. It was answered by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

HMS Endurance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work was carried out on HMS Endurance before it was taken over by the Navy; and whether any work was subsequently undertaken by his Department that had not been anticipated.

Answer: After HMS Polar Circle was leased by the Ministry of Defence in November 1991 and prior to the ship's first deployment, modifications were made to the Ship's aviation, communications and hydrographic systems utilising equipment from the previous HMS Endurance where feasible. This included putting non-slip surfaces on the Ship's hangar deck, improved flight aids, improved aviation fuelling systems, encrypted satellite communication and a new echo sounder.In January 1992, the decision was made to purchase HMS Polar Circle and the ship was renamed as HMS Endurance in October 1992. At this stage, a further series of planned modifications were made to the vessel, including enlarging its hangar and the fitting of additional communication and hydrographic equipment. Until its flooding in 2008, all other maintenance or refit work conducted on HMS Endurance had been anticipated and was conducted as part of the ship's routine programme.

Secondary information