HL Deb 06 July 2004 vol 663 c78WA
Lord Mackenzie of Culkein

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether permission has been given to the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses and to the Trinity House Lighthouse Service to obtain new vessels; and, if so, what is the estimated in-service date for those vessels.

[HL3534]

Lord Davies of Oldham:

Ministers have approved proposals to replace three of the general lighthouse authorities' current vessels with two new multifunction tenders (MFTs) and a smaller rapid response vessel. The new MFT's will replace the Trinity House;.vessel "Mermaid" and the Northern Lighthouse Board vessel "Pharos".

Invitations to tender to construct the vessels were issued in June. Approval to procure the vessels will be dependent on the cost of the bids received. If agreed, the contract to build is expected to be awarded in October 2004. The vessels are expected to come into service between 2005 and 2007.

I have asked my officials to keep the British Egg Industry Council posted on developments.