Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 May 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 May 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answers of 25th March to the honourable Member for Mid Sussex, 419 c949W, and 14th April, 420 c16W, on warships, for what reasons the refit of HMS Triumph was not programmed to begin on the expiry of the reactor certificate.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames) of 25 March 2004, Official Report, column 949W, and 14 April 2004, Official Report, column 16W, on warships, for what reasons the refit of HMS Triumph was not programmed to begin on the expiry of the reactor certificate. [167942] Mr. Ingram: The submarine refit programme is driven by the need to maintain the required number of submarines available to the fleet, while taking account of the requirement for submarines to refuel periodically. This programme is delivered in the most cost effective manner through a single stream refuelling capability at Devonport for Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class submarines (SSNs), of which HMS Triumph is one. Therefore, on occasion, a submarine may be berthed alongside for a period of time prior to the start of its refit. This is the case with HMS Triumph, whose refit will begin in summer 2005, once the SSN refitting and refuelling dock is vacated by HMS Talent. This programme accords with the Ministry of Defence's long term plan, which will continue to deliver sufficient submarines at high readiness to maintain defence outputs.

Secondary information