§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of procurement and estimated cost of type 23 frigates.
§ Mr. LeeNegotiations with the lead shipbuilders, Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd. are in progress. We shall make an announcement on the placing of the order as soon as possible. Precise costs are commercially confidential; however, at 1983–84 prices the average cost of a type 23 Frigate is estimated at £110 million. The type 23 will be substantially cheaper than previous classes. In broad terms it should be possible to buy four type 23s for the price of three type 22s.