§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on whether a company linked with Tricorp International of France can take over the contract to complete the work on the final type 23 frigate at Swan Hunter, Tyneside.
§ Mr. AitkenNegotiations on the novation of the type 23 frigate contract continue with the owners of Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie in respect of their prospective purchase of Swan Hunter Shipbuilders (in administrative receivership). These negotiations are 695W commercially confidential to the company, but the outcome will depend on the owners of CMN purchasing the yard, who have stated that this would be conditional upon Swan Hunter winning the current competition for the refurbishment of the landing ship logistic, RFA Sir Bedivere.