§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the orders that have recently been placed with Hall Russell of Aberdeen for three boom and mooring vessels for the Royal Navy; and if he will give the cost of these.
§ Mr. LeeThree mooring and salvage vessels were ordered from Hall Russell of Aberdeen in January 1984 following a competition in which eight shipbuilders participated. These ships will enter service by the end of 1986 and will replace aging KIN class vessels. They have been designed by Hall Russell to commercial standards and will be civilian manned. The total cost, including the provision of some spares requirements, is in the order of £28 million.