§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the order for two Royal Fleet auxiliary tankers, expected to have been placed in May or June of the current year, has not yet been placed, in the light of the need for work in the merchant building sector of the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. SpeedThe order was the subject of competitive tender. The tenders received were substantially higher than expected and this necessitated a thorough review of the requirement, which will be completed as soon as possible.