Hms Triumph

Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons HMS Triumph is being put into extended readiness in 2004; and how many fleet submarines will be operational in 2004. [102577]

Mr. Ingram
The Royal Navy operates its nuclear submarine fleet under stringent safety regulations. It is planned to place HMS Triumph in a state of Extended Readiness when her reactor reaches its maximum length of service, prior to entering a refit and overhaul period-----------------------------------------
|Training Establishment                 |
-----------------------------------------
|Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth|
-----------------------------------------
|HMS Raleigh                            |
-----------------------------------------
|HMS Collingwood                        |
-----------------------------------------
|HMS Dryad                              |
-----------------------------------------
|HMS Sultan                             |
-----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
|Training Establishment                     |
---------------------------------------------
|Royal Military Academy Sandhurst           |
---------------------------------------------
|Arm Training Regiment Bassingbourne        |
---------------------------------------------
|Arm Training Regiment Lichfield            |
---------------------------------------------
|Arm Training Regiment Winchester           |
---------------------------------------------
|Arm Foundation College Harrogate           |
---------------------------------------------
|Arm Technical Foundation College Arborfield|
---------------------------------------------

that will include refuelling. It is planned that a minimum of five fleet submarines should be available in 2004 for operational tasking.