To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to decide whether to order the seventh and eighth Type 45 destroyers. (114288)

[holding answer 11 January 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 June 2006, Official Report, column 627W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Type 45 destroyers will typically be available for deployment at any one time if six such ships are constructed. (114289)

[holding answer 11 January 2007]: No decision has been taken to reduce the number of Type 45s to be ordered. Six Type 45 destroyers are already under contract. Once they are in service, five will typically be available, at various states of readiness, for deployment.