HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 cc1069-70W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what changes have been agreed since Main Gate approval to(a) specifications, (b) build quality and (c) delivery dates of the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels being constructed by Swan Hunter; [143311]

(2) what cost overruns have been notified to his Department on the construction of Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels by Swan Hunter; [143312]

(3) what the expected commissioning date is of Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels being built by (a) Swan Hunter and (b) BAE Systems Marine. [143313]

(4) what claims for compensation from Swan Hunter have been made by BAE Systems Marine in respect of delays in the construction of two Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) vessels at Govan. [143314]

Mr. Ingram

Since Main Gate approval, a small number of enhancements have been made to the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary (LSD(A)) programme to ensure that each vessel complies with the latest statutory safety requirements. There have been no changes to the build quality of the vessels.

Swan Hunter has recently announced delays to its build programme. We are currently reviewing the impact this will have on the In-Service Dates of all four LSD(A)s. Provisional dates supplied by both companies suggest that the First of Class LSD(A) will now enter service in autumn 2005 with the final vessel entering service in summer 2006.

The Department has a Firm Price contract with Swan Hunter and any contractual discussions that arise are commercially sensitive. I am, therefore, withholding this information under Exemption 7a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to the effective management and operations of the public service.

BAE SYSTEMS Marine's LSD(A) contract is not with Swan Hunter but with the Ministry of Defence. Claims for compensation have been made by BAE SYSTEMS Marine as a consequence of delays to its build programme at Govan. These too are commercially sensitive, and I am also withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.