NAVAL FRIGATE DESIGN: INQUIRY (Hansard, 11 July 1986)

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Tregarne)

I announced in the Defence Debate on 25th June that Professor John Caldwell, President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, had agreed to lead the inquiry into the issues raised by the report of the committee chaired by the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Hill-Norton, about the relative merits of different hull forms for naval frigates. Following that announcement there was some public comment about Professor Caldwell's connections with the National Maritime Institute and with British Shipbuilders. Needless to say we had satisfied ourselves that these did not involve any conflict of interest for Professor Caldwell as chairman of an independent inquiry; he has not involved with model tests of the S90 hull form, and British Shipbuilders now have no commercial interest in warship design; and Professor Caldwell has not previously been involved in the debate about "short fat" hull forms. Therefore we were and are satisfied that he would bring to this inquiry the proper and necessary degree of impartiality as well as exceptional professional knowledge.

However, Professor Caldwell has told us that the comments which have been made about his appointment are likely to leave in the minds of the public as well as some professional people a residual 669WA doubt as to his impartiality; and that since this could only undermine the authority of any report he would produce, he has concluded that his correct course is to resign from the appointment, with the greatest regret.

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I share Professor Caldwell's regret. The inquiry must now be held up until another suitably qualified person can be found who is prepared to lead it. I will make a further announcement in due course.