§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that the fast patrol boats required by the Royal Navy for use in Hong Kong waters will be built in United Kingdom shipyards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SpeedTenders for the construction of five patrol craft for use in Hong Kong waters have been received from interested shipbuilders. As agreed with the Hong Kong Government, these tenders contain options ranging from one to all five of the vessels being built in the United Kingdom, the remainder, if any, to be built in Hong Kong.
As the tenders are still being evaluated, I cannot say yet whether all the craft will be built in the United Kingdom.