§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimated total eventual costs of repairing HMS Brazen following her grounding; where the repairs will be carried out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe initial repair work to HMS Brazen was carried out in the Chilean port of Talcahuano and further repair work will be undertaken by Devonport Management Limited at Devonport royal dockyard under the existing commercial arrangements for operational repairs. The eventual total cost of the repair work is expected to be some £2.5 million.
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions as to the use of British defence suppliers for equipment updates and replacement were agreed in the contract for the sale of four type 21 frigates to Pakistan; what information he has on the value of contracts placed for such work(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNo conditions as to the use of British defence suppliers were stipulated in the contract for the sale of six—not four—ex-RN type 21 frigates to Pakistan. United Kingdom companies competed for all subsequent major Pakistan upgrade or replacement programmes and so far two equipment contracts have been won. It is not our practice to disclose details of values of such contracts which are commercially confidential between the supplier 619W and the customer Government. Authoritative details of contracts awarded for major upgrades elsewhere are not available.
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which helicopters are available for use on the type 23 frigates currently on trials or training programmes.
§ Mr. SoamesMark 3 Lynx helicopter are available, for use as necessary to type 23 frigate on trials or testing programmes.