Type 45 Destroyers

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable has been set for the delivery of the new Type 45 destroyers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Quentin Davies
The in-service date for HMS Daring, the first in the Class of Type 45 Destroyers, is expected to be declared later this year. The remaining five ships in the Type 45 Programme are expected to enter service progressively through to mid-2014.

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Sea Viper missile system.

Mr. Quentin Davies
The effectiveness of the Sea Viper weapon system is being assessed through a rigorous trials programme to ensure that all the requirements of this complex system have been met and any problems resolved before it enters service.

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made any official visits in connection with the new Type 45 destroyers.

Mr. Quentin Davies
Since August 2007, the current Secretary of State for Defence has made two official visits to HMS Daring, the first in the Class of Type 45 Destroyers; these visits were made when he was the then Minister of State for the armed forces. Details of these and all other official visits made by Defence Ministers in respect of Type 45 Destroyers are listed in the following table:

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|Date of visit  |Defence Minister                                                                                  |Type 45 ship |
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|2007           |                                                                                                  |             |
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|14 August      |Right hon. Bob Ainsworth MP, the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces                      |HMS Daring   |
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|               |                                                                                                  |             |
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|2008           |                                                                                                  |             |
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|29 February    |Right hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton, the then Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support|HMS Duncan   |
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|4 September    |Right hon. Bob Ainsworth MP, the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces                      |HMS Daring   |
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|17 November    |Quentin Davies MP, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support                            |HMS Dragon   |
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|               |                                                                                                  |             |
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|2009           |                                                                                                  |             |
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|28 January     |Quentin Davies MP, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support                            |HMS Daring   |
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|1 July         |Kevan Jones MP, Minister of State for Veterans                                                    |HMS Dauntless|
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|20 July        |Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces                                           |HMS Daring   |
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|7 and 8 October|Quentin Davies MP, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support                            |HMS Daring   |
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