§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the ships which were originally in the Mine Countermeasures vessels upgrade programme will remain in Royal Naval service for their projected service life. [84520]
§ Mr. SpellarAs we announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we have concluded that the number of Mine Countermeasures vessels should be limited to 22, rather than 25 as previously planned. No decisions have yet been taken as to which vessels will be disposed of. A decision is expected later this year. On current plans the remaining vessels, including those upgraded with Sonar 2193, will remain in service for their projected service lives.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the planned cost over what period of time of the upgrade programme for all Mine Countermeasure Vessels; [84519]
(2) when the decision to delay the upgrade of Royal Navy Mine Countermeasure Vessels was taken; and for what reasons; [84517]
(3) when those companies which had been invited to tender for the upgrade programme for Mine Countermeasure Vessels were informed of the delay in the programme; how this was done; and by whom. [84569]
§ Mr. SpellarThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 May 1999:
I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the programme to upgrade the Royal Navy's Mine Countermeasure Vessels. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The decision to delay the upgrade of the Royal Navy Countermeasure Vessels was made in the context of the Department's annual budget setting process which was completed in March 1999. The process takes account of cost, operational and industrial factors, and priorities are assessed on the basis of the Defence Missions and Tasks defined in the Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999) published in July 1998. I can confirm that competing companies (Lockheed Martin and Thomson Marconi Sonar) were formally notified of the delay to the programme by letter on 24 March 1999.I am afraid that I am unable to disclose the information you request on the cost of the programme as its disclosure could prejudice the competitive position of the Department in negotiations with contractors. I am therefore withholding this information under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.