§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in selling the frigate completed earlier this year for Ghana and no longer required by that country; how much of the long-term loan made available to the Ghanaian Government for the purchase of this ship has so far been repaid; what are the estimated monthly maintenance costs of this vessel; and whether these are being met by the Ghanaian Government.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe Ministry of Defence is making strenuous efforts to sell this ship on behalf of the Ghana Government. Pending disposal, arrangements to put the frigate into a state of preservation are being discussed with the Ghana Government, who will bear the cost. Ghana has undertaken to repay the loan in accordance with the Agreement on Medium Term Commercial Debts between Her Majesty's Government and the Republic of Ghana. To date, payments to Her Majesty's Government have been made totalling £179,075.