HC Deb 22 April 1987 vol 114 cc594-5W
Dr. Marek

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the costs, and how they will he met, of the training and support package offered by the Royal Navy in conjunction with VSEL to supply Saudi Arabia with submarines.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The cost of the training and support packages offered to the Saudis must depend upon the extent of those packages. This is unlikely to be resolved until the completion of detailed negotiations with the Saudis. As to how these costs would be met, it is intended that VSEL's offer, which is one of five competing bids, would be the subject of a Firm to Government agreement between VSEL and the Government of Saudi Arabia. In this case all sums due to the UK MOD would be paid by VSEL.