Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Illustrious will be deployed on Exercise Cougar 14; what estimate he has made of the cost of preparing that ship for the exercise; and when she will return to be decommissioned.

I am withholding details of the future programme for HMS Illustrious as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. However, as first announced on 15 December 2010, (Official Report, column 102WS), HMS Illustrious will retire from service this year.

The costs associated with the preparation for deployment of any ship are part of the Royal Navy's core activity and are not captured separately.