§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact the new Lloyd's Register rules will have on the readiness and functioning of Royal Navy ships; and if he will make a statement. [109674]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Ministry of Defence has operated Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships in an appropriate Lloyd's Register Class for many years with no significant impact on the required readiness and functioning of these ships. The new Lloyd's Naval Ship Rules, developed in full consultation with the Ministry of Defence, provide planned and monitored standards for Royal Navy warships that will ensure availability, functionality and sustained readiness. Care has been taken to ensure that Lloyd's Rules are at least as effective as current MOD Naval Standards.