§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects each of the Upholder class of submarines to enter service with the Royal Navy; what is the final cost estimate for each Upholder class submarine; what general plans he has for deployment of the submarines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonHMS Upholder was accepted by the Royal Navy in December 1990 and re-entered service, following completion of modifications to her weapon handling and discharge systems (WHDS), last month. HMS Unseen and HMS Ursula were accepted by the Royal Navy in July 1991 and June 1992, respectively and are due to have their WHDS modifications carried out later this year, allowing them to re-enter service in early 1994. Unicorn is planned to enter service, with WHDS modifications already incorported, this summer. For commercial reasons, it is not our practice to disclose the cost of individual warships. The overall programme cost is however, expected to be similar in real terms to that shown in table 3–2 volume 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991." It is not our practice to disclose details of the operational deployment of Royal Navy submarines.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for sale of Upholder class submarines; and what discussions he has had with the Government of Canada about such sales.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo decisions affecting Upholder class submarines have been taken.