Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 October 2002. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes will have been made to the balance sheet value of HMS Sheffield in respect of (a) depreciation and (b) carrying costs between 1st April and the date on which she is withdrawn from service; how the withdrawal from service of HMS Sheffield will be treated for accounting purposes in his Department's Consolidated Resource Accounts for 2002-03; what the balance sheet value attributed to HMS Sheffield was in his Department's Consolidated Resource Accounts as at (a) 31st March 2001 and (b) 31st March 2002; if he will quantify the financial savings arising from the withdrawal of HMS Sheffield from service six years earlier than previously anticipated, broken down by category; what proceeds of sale of HMS Sheffield will be retained within the defence budget as an appropriation in aid; what alternative arrangements are being made for the performance of those duties which HMS Sheffield would have performed during the next six years if she had remained in service; and what is the forecast cost of these alternative arrangements. - Will write and place copy in Library.

Secondary information