§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what grounds he decided to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, and what consultations he undertook prior to reaching that decision;
(2) what publicity he gave to his decisions to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President; by what means their prospective sale was publicised; and how many tenders were received for each vessel;
(3) how many tenders he received for the sale of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, respectively, and what was the price received for each.
§ Mr. SainsburyHM ships Chrysanthemum and President currently house the London division royal naval reserve. It was decided to dispose of them, as the headquarters is due to move to new shore accommodation next month and no alternative use within the Royal Navy had been identified.
Normal disposal procedures were followed. A number of representations concerning their possible future use after disposal were received from organisations outside the Ministry of Defence.
412WThe sale of HM ships President and Chrysanthemum was advertised in Lloyd's List on 17–18 July 1986. In addition, invitations to tender were invited from a standard panel of ship repairers-breakers. A total of 27 inquiries were received, following which three tenders were submitted for each vessel. As a result the sale price agreed with the highest bidder covering both ships is over £100,000.