HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc571-2W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date HMS Vengeance is expected to start contractors' sea trials; what was the original planned date; and if he will make a statement. [76234]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 15 March 1999]: HMS Vengeance is due to start Contractor's Sea Trials later in the year. The exact date is classified for reasons of physical security. The currently planned date is later than the original, due to the need to replace components found to be defective during system testing at the shipbuilding. The components have now been changed and the submarine's systems are performing well.