Shiplift (Faslane) (Hansard, 11 May 1990)

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision to build the shiplift facility at Faslane was taken.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
In 1983.

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the shiplift contract at Faslane was awarded as a single tender contract.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The shiplift is being constructed as part of a larger contract package which was awarded through competitive tender. The manufacturer of the syncrolift platform is a nominated sub-contractor and was selected by single tender action.

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what consideration was given by the Nuclear Safety Committee to the merits of marine chain as opposed to wire rope for the shiplift facility at Faslane;
(2) on what grounds the decision was taken to proceed with marine chain as opposed to wire rope for the shiplift facility at Faslane.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The Ministry of Defence nuclear safety authorities assessed all aspects of the Faslane shiplift design including the platform components and the means by which it is raised and supported. The particular syncrolift mechanism being incorporated in the Faslane shiplift makes use of wire ropes rather than marine chains.
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The company responsible for the design and manufacture of the syncrolift mechanism was selected because of its competence and unique experience with shiplifts of this size and function. The Ministry of Defence nuclear safety authorities recognise the importance of adopting a well proven system and design used in other comparable shiplifts.

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has received from the safety and reliability directorate of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on an acceptable safety case for the shiplift project at Faslane;
(2) if any representations have been made by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority or its safety and reliability directorate regarding fundamental concerns by this body on the shiplift project at Faslane.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The safety and reliability directorate advises MOD's nuclear safety authorities. In this role it has submitted a number of observations on the shiplift programme. These are being taken into account in its design development and construction. The safety and reliability directorate has not questioned the fundamental ability of a shiplift to meet nuclear safety requirements.

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide the costs to date and the latest estimate for the completed shiplift project at Faslane.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The latest approved costs of the shiplift which, along with some other major projects, forms part of the shiplift contract package, is £147 million. It is not our policy to discuss estimated costs of individual projects or contract packages.

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what grounds the construction of a dry dock facility at Faslane was rejected;
(2) if he will provide the estimated cost of (a) a dry dock facility and (b) a shiplift at Faslane; and on what grounds the decision was made to go for the latter.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
When the decision was taken in 1983 that a shiplift was the preferred docking solution, on the basis of comparable provision the estimated capital costs of a dry dock facility were significantly greater than a shiplift. The shiplift met programme requirements and combined the greatest operational flexibility with both the lowest capital and running costs.