HC Deb 21 May 2002 vol 386 cc170-1W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned in-service dates are for each of the ordered type 45 destroyers. [56704]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 May 2002]: The First of Class, HMS Daring, is planned to enter service in late 2007, with the second ship, HMS Dauntless following in 2009. It is planned that the remaining four ships on contract will enter service at intervals up until 2011.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis the decision was made to reject the BAE proposal to build all 12 type 45 warships; and if he will make a statement. [57348]

Mr. Ingram

The BAE Systems unsolicited proposal was very carefully considered. However, it was decided not to take it further because of the serious implications it would have for competition downstream for future United Kingdom warships and the very substantial forward commitment it sought on a variety of shipbuilding programmes. The revised type 45 procurement strategy, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 10 July 2001, should offer better value for money in the longer run, if it enables competition to be pursued on other warship programmes.