Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (1) are laid up, (2) are placed in extended readiness, or (3) are otherwise unable to proceed to sea as a consequence of shortage of officers or ratings.

The normal operating cycle of every ship includes periods of low readiness, and a number of ships will enter periods of 'low' or 'very low' readiness depending on their programmes and departmental planning requirements. It remains Ministry of Defence policy not to publish details of the readiness states of individual Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels for reasons of national security. I can confirm that the RFA continues to meet its operational commitments.

With regard to RFA ships awaiting disposal, RFA ORANGELEAF will be withdrawn from service later this year, in accordance with the Navy Plan.