§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what costs have been allocated to the construction of a new survey ship for the British Antarctic Survey; and when he expects to(a) call for tenders and (b) announce the award of a construction contract.
Mr. JacksonThe hon. Member will appreciate that, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, I cannot say at this time what funds have been allocated for the construction of a new research ship for the British Antarctic Survey.
Tenders for the construction of the vessel are currently being sought by the Natural Environment Research Council from five of the 30 shipyards that were originally sent an outline specification of requirements. Two of these five yards are in the United Kingdom. The tenders are due for return by 20 January 1989; an announcement will be made to the House about the placing of the contract in due course.