To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has changed his plans in respect of the number of Type 45 destroyers to be ordered; and when a decision will be made about ships seven and eight. (137886)

[holding answer 17 December 2007]: We currently have a contract for six Type 45 destroyers and a decision has yet to be made on a further order. The decision and its timing will be based on a range of factors including requirements, affordability, value for money and the wider context of the Defence Industrial Strategy.