§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the placing of the next order for a Type 42 frigate; and if he will place the next order for a Type 42 frigate in accordance with the policy of Her Majesty's Government that warship orders are to be concentrated upon three nominated manufacturers namely Vickers, Vosper Thorneycroft and Yarrow.
§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the date when he now expects to place the contract for building the ninth Type 42 destroyer.
§ Dr. GilbertWe are planning to order another Type 42 frigate in the new year. Our policy is to concentrate warship building on the three specialist warship builders which have a capability to carry out detailed design work. We have, however, always recognised that it may be necessary for us to place some orders with other yards if the Royal Navy is to receive its warships in the right time scale.