If he will make a statement on the planned size of the Royal Navy's frigate and destroyer fleet.

As we said in the White Paper that was published in July 2004, the Navy will operate a fleet of 25 destroyers and frigates. Investment in the Navy has increased from £780 million for capital equipment to £1.3 billion this year, with new investment of £6 billion planned in the next three years.

In 2004, the then First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West, now a Minister in the Prime Minister's Administration, criticised the Government for abandoning their promise in the strategic defence review to keep 32 frigates and destroyers and reducing the total to only 25. He described that as piling risk on risk. Will the Prime Minister now guarantee that there will be no further reductions from the total of 25 frigates and destroyers?

Since those announcements, we have announced the biggest programme of investment in our Navy for future years. The hon. Gentleman knows that £6 billion of investment in the next three years is a major commitment to our Navy. We look forward to making an announcement soon on the future of aircraft carriers. I believe that we are fulfilling our commitment to create a modern Navy for the future.

I just repeat the shadow Chancellor's comments:

"there are lots of Conservatives who... say we've... got to put more money into... our armed forces... part of the test of whether we're ready for government is whether we can resist those additional draws on public expenditure".

Dr. Lewis had better talk to the shadow Chancellor first.

Does the Prime Minister agree that it is not necessary to have a referendum before ordering two aircraft—

Order. It is a closed question. I called the hon. Gentleman because Fairfield shipyard is in his constituency. He should ask about the carriers, not a referendum.

As I was saying, does the Prime Minister agree that it is not necessary to have a referendum before ordering two aircraft carriers? Does he also agree that this is the forum in which an announcement should be made, with his allies—I admit that some are only recent—behind him, and, in front of him, not opponents, but potential recruits?

I am glad that my hon. Friend describes himself as an ally. I hope that we will be able to make an announcement soon on the aircraft carriers, but our commitment to future naval investment in this country is very high indeed. I believe that the future of the Navy is best safeguarded by the levels of investment that we are putting in, and I am glad that he agrees with me that there is no need for a referendum on any issue at the moment.