§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has decided to award the contract for the re-fit of Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia to the Royal Dockyard, Devonport, without seeking tenders from private sector shipyards.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 23 June, Official Report, column 28, to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) concerning the refit of the royal yacht, what tenders were sought prior to award of the contract; and what consideration was given to putting the contract out to a private shipyard.
§ Mr. LeeThe possibility of inviting commercial tenders for the refit of Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia was originally considered based on our concern that the capacity to undertake this refit would not be available in the desired timescale at Devonport dockyard. However, local management and trades unions have agreed to adopt a series of measures which provide for flexible working practices and the avoidance of delay through industrial action, which will enable the work to be accommodated within the dockyard programme.