Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies submitted tenders last year for the supply of Sandown class minehunters; and what was the total value of these tenders.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe four companies invited to tender for the supply of Sandown class minehunters were Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd., Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. and Swan Hunter Shipbuilders and Engineering Ltd. The tenders covered the supply of various numbers of ships up to a maximum of seven; the value of the tenders is commercially confidential.