§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will break down the costings involved in the quoted cost of the Trident refitting facilities at Devonport;
(2) what additional costs his Department has identified to the figures so far given for the Trident refitting at Devonport; and what is his estimate of the final cost of the contract.
§ Mr. AitkenI refer the hon. member to annexe A of the consultation document "The Royal Dockyards—Future Arrangements for Ship Refitting" issued by my Department on 8 July 1993, and also to my written answer of 15 March 1994,Official Report, column 655. The detailed composition of the quoted cost is commercially confidential.
§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the progress made on negotiating the Trident refitting contract with DML.
§ Mr. AitkenContractual arrangements for the refitting of Trident submarines will be a matter for negotiation with the successful bidder for Devonport royal dockyard.
§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps will be taken to manage closely the fixed-price contract to be placed with DML for Trident refitting facilities.
§ Mr. AitkenAll necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the project proceeds to time and cost.