§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what civilian use he envisages for the new roll-on, roll-off ferries on order for his Department. [116132]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 27 March 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 30 March 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking whether civilian use is envisaged for the roll on roll off ships that will be provided to meet the MOD's strategic sealift requirements. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.209WMOD is currently proposing to meet its strategic sealift requirement through Private Finance Initiative arrangements, with the objective of maximising value for money and affordability. Rather than procuring ships ourselves we plan, instead, to procure sealift capability in the form of a service. This will comprise a number of vessels (with crews) at differing readiness periods designed to meet our needs, including those of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. This approach will afford the ship-owner the opportunity to use the vessels for commercial trading when they are not required by MOD. The extent of such commercial use of any underused capacity will depend upon the service provider. Selection of a preferred bidder will be made in late Spring.