§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the type of contract and the individual value of such contracts awarded to Gibrepair Limited of Gibraltar since July 1983, listing each contract individually.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonGibraltar Shiprepair Limited did not come into being until 1 January 1985. Since that time, contracts have been awarded for the following Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel refits: RFA Sir Lancelot, RFA Sir Caradoc, RFA Engadine, RFA Bayleaf, RFA Appleleaf, RFA Brambeleaf and RFA Blue Rover.
It is not our practice to detail individual contract prices which are commercial in confidence. However, the total value of this work amounts to over £11.5 million.In addition, period contracts have been awarded since 1 January 1985, the first for 15 months and the second for 12 months, each valued at about £1 million, for work on small naval support craft based at Gibraltar. The current contract expires on 31 March and it is expected that it will be renewed.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether Gibrepair in Gibraltar has sufficient skilled labour to carry out its 1987 programme of frigate modernisation; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will consider placing the 1987 frigate modernisation programme work with British shipyards; if he will consider Gibrepair Limited for the 1988 programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonModernisation of warships (including frigates) is undertaken continuously as a minor part of their refit programmes. It is not practicable to undertake modernisations as a separate entity as this would involve an increase in non-operational time. All warship refit work is planned to be undertaken at Devonport and Rosyth and it is not intended to place any of it with Gibraltar Shiprepair Limited.