HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 cc42-3W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold an investigation into HMS Vanguard's recent training exercise in the Celtic Deep; and if he will make a statement. [52215]

Dr. Reid

Nuclear safety is of paramount importance and it is essential that the Navy conduct realistic exercises to ensure that all submariners remain highly trained. At all times during the recent exercise the submarine operated within normal safety parameters and there was no risk to the reactor or the crew. It is therefore not necessary to conduct a formal investigation.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had during the period of the Strategic Defence Review, with local hon. Members concerning(a) submarine refit work at Rosyth and (b) the refit for HMS Spartan. [51957]

Mr. George Robertson

We had consultations on the Strategic Defence Review with many hundreds of people representing a wide range of interests, and the detailed outcome of the Review was the subject of discussion with Cabinet colleagues. In relation to Rosyth Dockyard and the refit programme, including that of HMS Spartan, I met mye hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire) with representatives of the Rosyth Royal Dockyard Trade Unions and Fife Council, and, separately, the Chairman of the Babcock International Group and the Managing Director of Babcock Facilities Management Limited. My right hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) sent me representations from the Rosyth Royal Dockyard Trade Unions, and form an individual constituent.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the refit being undergone by HMS Sceptre. [51956]

Mr. George Robertson

The planned cost of HMS Sceptre's refit is £154 million. HMS Sceptre's refit is due to be completed in 2000 and it is not possible to say whether the need for additional, unforeseen work may emerge during this time which may affect the final cost of the refit.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated de-commissioning date for each Swiftsure class submarine. [51964]

Mr. George Robertson

HMS Swiftsure was operationally decommissioned in 1992. The scheduled operational decommissioning dates for the remainder of the Swiftsure class submarines are as follows:

Swiftsure class SSN Planned operational decommissioning date
HMS Sovereign 2005
HMS Superb 2007
HMS Sceptre 2008
HMS Spartan 2006
HMS Splendid 2003

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Swiftsure class submarines have undergone refits in the past five years; how much each cost; and where and when each was undertaken. [51955]

Mr. George Robertson

Two Swiftsure class submarines have undergone refits in the past five years, both at Rosyth Royal Dockyard. The costs of the refits, excluding materials, and relevant dates are as follows:

Vessel Cost/Estimate (£ million) Dates of Refit
HMS Sovereign 192 Aug 92 to May 98
HMS Superb 200 Dec 94, due to complete Autumn 98

The scope and length of both refits were extended to include additional repair work on nuclear steam generators.

HMS Sceptre is currently undergoing a refit at Rosyth, the cost of which is currently estimated to be £154 million.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the refit planned for HMS Spartan. [51963]

Mr. George Robertson

HMS Spartan's refit package is still under consideration. It will be constrained to the minimum necessary to enable her to continue in service until 2006. It is too early in the planning process to say what the revised refit package will cost.