Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy ships the Government has ordered since May 2010; and how many such ships have been brought into full operational service since May 2010.

Since May 2010, orders have been placed for three Type 26 Frigates, five Offshore Patrol Vessels and four Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Tankers, the first of which, RFA TIDESPRING, is due to enter service later this year. The Ministry of Defence has also placed a contract for up to 38 workboats to assist Royal Navy ships in the UK and overseas. One of these will enter service next year as the replacement for the survey ship HMS GLEANER.