§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fixtures, fittings and equipment he plans to remove from the Royal Yacht Britannia on her decommissioning. [18878]
§ Dr. ReidFinal decisions have yet to be taken. Following paying off, the Royal Collection and other Royal items will be removed for safe keeping. The Palace has indicated that it will be prepared to consider the loan334W or replication of certain items, subject to adequate safeguards, to a successful preservation group. Likewise the Royal Navy would be prepared to discuss with a preservation group what naval items could be kept.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to announce his decision on the future of the Royal Yacht Britannia. [18926]
335W
§ Dr. ReidI refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Mr. Godman) on 1 December 1997,Official Report, column 6.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) representations and (b) proposals he has received on the future use of the Royal Yacht Britannia; and from whom. [18925]
§ Dr. ReidThe Government have received a large number of representations and proposals on the future use of the Royal Yacht. It is not practical to quantify a total. These have been reduced to a shortlist of seven preservation proposals which have been assessed in detail. These are:
- Bankside Consultants Ltd. (Britannia 2000 Ltd.)
- Clyde Heritage Trust
- Forth Ports plc
- Lords of the Isles Ltd.
- Peel Holdings plc (Manchester Ship Canal Company)
- Portsmouth City Council in consortium with Flagship Portsmouth
- Swift International Developments Ltd.
The Government hope to be able to make an announcement about the future of Britannia shortly.