§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions apply to the nationality of consortiums seeking to become project managers for the nuclear fitting of Trident submarines. [25356]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotTo optimise control of nuclear licensing and safety requirements, project management of the construction of nuclear submarine refitting facilities at Devonport will be controlled by the dockyard operator, Devonport Royal Dockyard plc. The Secretary of State for Defence will retain a special share in DRD plc, a UK registered company, which will enable the Government to protect essential national security interests in the dockyard facilities, including those associated with nuclear submarine refitting. Company personnel working in sensitive areas are subject to appropriate security clearance.