§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the target cost for the new type 23 frigate; and whether that figure represents its total cost when made operational.
§ Mr. PattieI refer my hon. Friend to our June White Paper Cmnd. 8288. The precise unit cost will of course depend upon the final configuration of the vessel which remains under study.
§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if sea trials of the new frigate type 23 are proven to be satisfactory how many are likely to be ordered; and over what period they will be delivered.
162W
§ Mr. PattieIt is not our practice to provide forecasts of the planned size of classes of new ships or the rate of ordering.
§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is expected to be the operational range of the type 23 frigate without refuelling.
§ Mr. PattieIt is not our practice to divulge details of this kind.