HC Deb 11 February 1997 vol 290 cc85-6W
17. Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on a replacement for the royal yacht. [13731]

Mr. Arbuthnot

A number of representations have been received concerning the future royal yacht, including several inquiries from industry and a substantial volume of letters from members of the public.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts valued at over £1 million have been signed on the royal yacht Britannia in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [14635]

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: This information is not held centrally but, as an illustrative example, during Britannia's visit to Bombay in November 1993, contracts worth £1.2 billion were signed on board.

I should explain that while other contracts have certainly been completed aboard Britannia, the primary purpose of her export promotion activities is in initiating and fostering commercial contracts rather than providing a venue for the formal signature of contracts.

Mr. Hanson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whom he consulted prior to the announcement on the replacement for the royal yacht. [13721]

Mr. Portillo

There were widespread consultations within Government, both at official and ministerial level, prior to the announcement on 22 January.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the commercial functions which took place on the royal yacht Britannia in each of the last three years and the companies involved; and if he will make a statement. [15010]

Mr. Soames

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 10 February,Official Report, columns 2–4.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which United Kingdom companies made use of visits by HMY Britannia in 1996 to promote their business. [15204]

Mr. Soames

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 10 February,Official Report, columns 2–4.