§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the reasons why he was unable to make a decision on the tenders for the two orders for the type 22 frigates before they lapsed, as stated in his reply of 27 November.
§ Mr. LeeAs I told my hon. Friend in the House on 24 July at columns 814–815, the tenders lapsed before the usual detailed examination of such factors as overheads and productivity had been completed. Further tenders were therefore sought and are now being examined.