Written question asked by Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to withdraw HMS Fearless from service; what the estimated cost is of the repair work to HMS Fearless; and when he expects her to return to service. - (Holding answer 15 December 2000).

Answer: Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he plans to withdraw HMS Fearless from service; [143072] (2) what the estimated cost is of the repair work to HMS Fearless; and when he expects her to return to service. [143044] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 15 December 2000]: The cost of the repair work to HMS Fearless, needed as a result of the fire damage to her after machinery space, is under negotiation with Fleet Support Ltd. (FSL), the company that will undertake the work. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7a(1) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to the competitive position of a Department. HMS Fearless is expected to return to service in the first half of 2001. The exact date will not be known until a more accurate assessment of the work is completed by FSL by the new year. On current plans, HMS Fearless is due to be withdrawn from service in 2003.

Secondary information