HC Deb 17 April 2000 vol 348 c362W
24. Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met management and trade union representatives from the shipbuilding industry to discuss the placing of contracts for the construction of vessels required by the Royal Navy. [117904]

Dr. Moonie

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement have met both management and trade union representatives from the shipbuilding industry within the last two weeks.

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the next round of orders of ships for the Royal Navy. [117899]

Mr. Hoon

We hope to be in a position to announce a preferred bidder to meet our long-term strategic sealift requirement later this year. We also expect to place contracts for Survey Vessels during the summer, for Demonstration and First of Class Manufacture of the new Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer in the autumn, and for the Alternative Landing Ship Logistic (ALSL) in late 2000. Over the longer term, our plans call for the manufacture of over 30 new major warships with contracts being placed at the appropriate time.

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