§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom shipbuilders have the capability of designing a roll-on, roll-off ship of the type required by the Ministry of Defence; and [HL1847]
How many United Kingdom shipbuilders have the capability of constructing a roll-on, roll-off ship of the type required by the Ministry of Defence. [HL1848]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Most major United Kingdom shipbuilders should be able to design and construct roll-on, roll-off ships (ROROs) of this type.
The MoD is currently assessing bids for the provision of roll-on, roll-off strategic sealift. This would not be a straightforward shipbuilding contract. It would involve contracting under PH arrangements for a long-term shipping service which would include provision of the crews and the operation and maintenance of the ships, which would be owned by the contractor. The MoD is, however doing all it can, within the bounds of fair competition and its EC obligations, to give UK industry the opportunity to participate in building the ships.