Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The number of days spent at sea each year since 1997 by HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal are detailed in the following table.
HMS Illustrious HMS Ark Royal 1998 85.25 0 1999 102.50 4.75 2000 124.25 0 2001 165.25 67.50 2002 66.00 120.25 2003 0 133.00 2004 30.25 17.00 2005 123.25 3.75 2006 123.75 33.00 Up to 25 July 2007 80.00 68.00
HMS Illustrious was in refit from November 2002 to November 2004.
HMS Ark Royal was at low readiness in 1998 and entered refit in June 1999 until March 2001. She was at low readiness from May 2004 and entered refit October 2005 until September 2006.