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Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 November 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 November 2016 (named day). It was answered by Harriett Baldwin (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 November 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


HMS Illustrious

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy not to approve the departure to Turkey from Portsmouth of the aircraft carrier Illustrious until the bid to purchase it for preservation has been fully considered and a decision made on its viability.

Answer

The departure of the hulk of Illustrious from HM Naval Base Portsmouth will allow the Royal Navy to prepare for the arrival of the first of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2017.

We have considered the merits of the outline proposal made by a business consortium to purchase Illustrious and concluded that it is not sufficiently viable to cancel the sale of the vessel for recycling.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
54157
Session
2016-17
Subjects
Sales HMS Illustrious
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk