To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships are (a) at sea, (b) ready for deployment, (c) at reduced readiness and (d) mothballed; and if he will make a statement. (103535)

The number of Royal Navy ships at sea changes daily and is currently 13. A further 18 ships are ready for deployment of which a number can be at sea at any time depending on their state of readiness. Seven vessels are at reduced readiness and six at extended readiness.

I am withholding the names of the specific ships and their state of readiness as this could enable deductions to be made that could be prejudicial to national security.