Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many orders for(a) type 23 frigates and (b) auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels will be placed in the next 10 years; and in which years they will be ordered.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleWe hope to make an announcement on the outcome of the recent tender386W exercise for type 23 frigates early next year. We plan further orders of auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels, but no decisions have been taken on their size or timing. It is not our practice to disclose details about the longer-term internal planning assumptions for equipment orders.