Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the nature is of the defect that recently affected HMS Prince of Wales; and what the timetable is for rectifying that issue.

Shortly after HMS PRINCE OF WALES (PWLS) sailed on 27 August, a mechanical fault was discovered with the starboard shaft. Our initial assessment has revealed that a coupling which joins the final two sections of the shaft has failed. This is a very unusual fault, and we continue to pursue all repair options. It is too early to say what the timetable is for rectifying the issue.

While PWLS has a Senior Marine Engineering Officer who reports to the Captain, responsibility for the safety and material state of any warship lies with her Commanding Officer.