asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the starting date of the refit of HMS "Ark Royal"; when it is now expected that the refit of HMS "Hermes" will be completed; and how many and which major surface combatants larger than a destroyer are expected to be fully available to the operational fleet while "Ark Royal" and "Hermes" are both in refit.

HMS "Ark Royal's" refit is scheduled to start on 22nd November 1976; the planned completion date for HMS "Hermes" refit is 10th December 1976.During the short period of time that they are both in refit, two major surface ships larger than a destroyer will be fully operational with the fleet, namely HMS "Tiger" and HMS "Fearless". Short overlapping of refits is standard dockyard practice and facilitates a smooth transfer of work for the labour force.