HC Deb 23 January 1992 vol 202 c337W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many methods are available of achieving the same effect as that being worked on in the abandoned magnetic treatment facility project, Faslane; and what estimate has been made of the cost of adapting these alternatives to the enhanced specifications currently derived for submarines.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Following the decision not to proceed with the magnetic treatment facility, work is currently under way to examine alternative means of achieving the effective magnetic treatment of submarines. Firm cost estimates have not yet been made but we expect costs to be significantly less than for the original project.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of Stale for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) of 20 December,Official Report, column 387, on the magnetic treatment facility project, when it was abandoned; and what percentage of the original budget for the magnetic treatment facility, Faslane, the sum spent represented.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The decision not to proceed with the magnetic treatment facility project was reached in June 1991. Expenditure at the time of cancellation represented 23 per cent. of the original cost estimate.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate was made of the cost effectiveness and likely completion of the magnetic treatment facility project, Faslane, before giving it his approval.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

As with all Ministry of Defence equipment projects, the cost effectiveness of the proposed magnetic treatment facility project was subject to careful examination in the light of all the available evidence before it was approved. The project was judged to represent good value for money at the original cost estimate to meet the operational requirement for the rapid and efficient magnetic treatment of submarines. The project was to he completed in the mid-1990s.