§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Upholder submarines his Department has provided to Canada on extended loan; which submarines are on loan; what are the conditions of the loan; how much his Department is receiving from the Canadian Government; when the submarines first come into operational use with the Royal Navy; what was the total cost of each submarine; and for how long the submarines will be on loan. [19979]
§ Mr. FreemanSince the MOD's decision in 1992–93, announced in Command 2270, to withdraw the four Upholder class submarines from RN service we have offered them for sale or lease to friendly or allied countries. We are in discussion with the Canadian Department of National Defence but no decisions have been taken.
The submarines of the Upholder class entered operational RN service as follows:
Submarine Commissioning date HMS Upholder December 1990 HMS Unseen July 1991 HMS Ursula June 1992 HMS Unicorn July 1993 The cost of the Upholder programme at 1993 prices is assessed at approximately £900 million.