HL Deb 24 May 1999 vol 601 c67WA
Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many United Kingdom owned shipbuilding yards in the United Kingdom have the capability of building and fitting out the planned 40,000 tonnes replacement aircraft carriers. [HL2246]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

The yards capable of building and fitting out a carrier of 40,000 tonnes are: Harland and Wolff in Belfast; Kvaerner Govan in Glasgow; Marconi Marine Ltd, previously known as VSEL, at Barrow in Furness and Birkenhead; and Swan Hunter in Wallsend. Depending on the design selected, there may be a need for their facilities to be enhanced. The yards are registered in the UK.