§ Mr. James HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about orders for vertical launch Seawolf missiles.
§ Mr. AitkenI am pleased to announce that we have awarded a contract for a second production order of 450 vertical launch Seawolf missiles to British Aerospace Defence Ltd., Dynamics Division. These will provide 24-hour protection for the Royal Navy's type 23 frigates against aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
The value of the order is more than £100 million. Work will be centred at the company's Lostock and Filton sites. It will sustain some 100 jobs within the company, and many more at sub-contractors throughout the country.