§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether private shiprepair companies are currently able to tender for contracts for Royal Naval vessels; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Archie HamiltonYes. Apart from HMS Manchester—at present in an Australian yard—HMS Otter, HMS Wilton, HMS Wotton and HMS Carron are in British private shiprepair yards. Tenders have been invited for work on HMS Caroline, HMS Dovey and HMS Hunter, and a tender will be issued in the next few weeks for work on HMS Smiter. In addition there are 18 Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, Army and Royal Air Force vessels in private sector yards, and another 14 invitations to tender. Seventeen more invitations to tender should be issued in the next four weeks or so.