To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales will enter service. (243497)

The in-service dates (ISD) declared at the time of the project main gate were 2014 for HMS Queen Elizabeth and 2016 for HMS Prince of Wales.

As stated in the written ministerial statement issued on 11 December 2008, Official Report, column 65WS, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, it is likely that the in-service dates of the new carriers will be delayed by one to two years.

We are in the process of agreeing revised ISDs for the two new carriers with our industrial partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when each (a) Type 22 and (b) Type 23 frigate will go out of service. (243499)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 678W.