§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when an announcement will be made as to the successful tender for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme. [79271]
§ Dr. MoonieStage 2 of the CVF Assessment phase completes on 20 November. We then intend to select a preferred contractor not on the basis of a traditional bid analysis but through an assessment of the contractors' performance and output since the start of the Assessment phase in November 1999. An announcement on the preferred contractor is scheduled for early next year.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Future Aircraft Carrier programme. [79268]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme is progressing well and the recent announcement of the innovative adaptable design is evidence of this. Risk reduction and design work is continuing and we remain on course to select our preferred contractor early next year and approve investment in the build programme at the end of 2003. The In Service Dates of the two ships remain 2012 and 2015 respectively.
472W
Under 50 50 and over Total % Over 50 Financial Year 2001–2002 Ministry of Defence 4,443 1,289 5,732 22.5 Trading Funds 1,141 223 1,374 16.2 Total 5,584 1,512 7,106 21.3
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs he estimates will be created through the design and manufacture of the Future Aircraft Carriers in the UK. [79270]
§ Dr. MoonieIt is still too early in the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme to make an accurate forecast of the number of jobs that will be created or sustained by the CVF programme. Much will depend on the shipbuild strategy adopted by the preferred prime contractor and the split of work between the participating construction and final assembly facilities. However, taking into account the supply chain, the programme may involve around 10,000 jobs throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft will be for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme. [79269]
§ Dr. MoonieThe primary aircraft for the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) will be the Joint Combat Aircraft. The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter has been identified as the aircraft with the best potential to fulfil that role and this was reinforced by the announcement on 30 September that we had selected the Short Take Off Vertical Landing variant to operate from CVF. The ships will also carry Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft and helicopters from all three services in a variety of roles.