§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expressions of interest in the past three years he has received from foreign navies in respect of the purchase of decommissioned Type 22 frigates; and if he will make a statement. [139345]
§ Dr. MoonieSince the announcement of the disposal of the Royal Navy's now decommissioned Type 22 frigates, HMS Beaver, HMS London, and HMS Boxer in the Strategic Defence Review in July 1998, marketing of the ships to overseas navies to date have elicited expressions of interest of various degrees from at least five nations, a number of which in the case of HMS London are being pursued further. I am withholding details of the sources 425W and the strength of these expressions of interest in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what value his Department expects to realise from the disposal of(a) HMS London, (b) HMS Boxer, (c) HMS Beaver and (d) HMS Brave. [139465]
§ Dr. MoonieAll the ships mentioned, HMS London, Boxer, Beaver and Brave, are or will be subject to sales negotiations. I am withholding details of expected sales values under Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.