Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first Type 26 frigate will be ready to enter service; and when the Type 23 frigates are due to decommission.

The Type 26 programme schedule, including the planned date for entry into service will be determined at the main investment decision planned for later this year.

With regard to the out of service dates for the Type 23 Frigates I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my predecessor the former Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr Philip Dunne) on 1 March 2016 to Question 28004 to the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry).