HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc717-8W
Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proceeds have been derived from the sale of the Upholder submarines to Canada. [6201]

Dr. Moonie

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 56W, to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 27 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W and the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W. Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight year lease with an option of outright purchase.

The first of the submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000 and the three remaining submarines will follow over the next 18 months. Canada has exercised its option to purchase outright the first of the submarines HMCS Victoria.

Mr. Boris Johnson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the refurbishment costs for the four Upholder class submarines prior to their leasing to the Canadian Government. [6105]

Dr. Moonie

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 56W, to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 27 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W and the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W. Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight year lease with an option of outright purchase.

The submarines are being refurbished by BAE Systems Marine Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness to a standard acceptable to the Royal Navy. The cost of the refurbishment of the submarines is commercially sensitive and I am withholding the details in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.