§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts
Ship Planned Order date when tender invited Contract placed Fifth Swiftsure Class Fleet submarine (HMS "Spartan") … September 1972 February 1973 First ASW Cruiser (HMS "Invincible") … February 1973 April 1973 First Type 22 Frigate (HMS "Broadsword") … October 1973 February 1974 Ninth Type 42 Destroyer … September 1976 March 1977 First of Improved Swiftsure Class submarine … End 1976 September 1977 Second Mine Counter-measures Vessel (HMS "Ledbury") … January 1977 March 1977 Fourth Type 22 Frigate … September 1977 October 1977 As I indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate, shipbuilders' capacity, industrial considerations, the course of the contract negotiations themselves and the effective management of the warship building programme as a whole, are all factors which may result in contracts being placed later than anticipated.
870Wover by the RAF and used in a maritime rôle.