§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been taken to order new frigates and destroyers which have not yet been tendered for.
§ Mr. LeeYarrow Shipbuilders Ltd. of Glasgow has been invited to tender for the first type 23 frigate. We expect to order further type 23s in the future, but no decisions on precise numbers have yet been taken.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all Her Majesty's frigates and destroyers currently on order together with their expected delivery dates, the yards at which they are being constructed and their approximate cost; and if he will make a statement about the progress of each order.
§ Mr. LeeThe following destroyers and frigates are currently on order for the Royal Navy at the yards shown:
Delivery expected Destroyers HMS Gloucester—Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. late 1984 HMS Edinburgh—Cammell Laird (SB) Ltd. HMS York—Swan Hunter (SB) Ltd. Frigates HMS Beaver—Yarrow (SB) Ltd. 1984 HMS Brave—Yarrow (SB) Ltd. 1985 HMS London—Yarrow (SB) Ltd. 1986 HMS Sheffield—Swan Hunter (SB) Ltd. 1987 HMS Coventry—Swan Hunter (SB) Ltd. 22–11—Yarrow (SB) Ltd. 22–12—Yarrow (SB) Ltd. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not our practice to reveal precise details of cost. However, at 1982–83 price levels, the average cost of ships on order is £110 million for type 42 destroyers and £127 million for type 22 frigates. Progress is satisfactory and planned deliveries are generally being maintained.