§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected cost and commissioning date of auxiliary oilers(a) Wave Knight and (b) Wave Ruler were when the contract was let; what the date of commissioning and the final cost are; and if he will make a statement. [127277]
§ Mr. IngramAt the time the contact was let, in March 1997, the projected construction cost for Wave Knight and Wave Ruler was some £200 million. The contract cost for both vessels has still to be finalised but is expected to be between £210–£215 million. The increase reflects an addition to the contract for the procurement of spares and minor configuration changes to the ships' design over the period of the contract.
The planned In Service Dates for Wave Knight and Wave Ruler when the contract was let were February 2001 and March 2002, respectively. Wave Knight was accepted into service in March 2003 and Wave Ruler in April 2003. The programme slippage arose as a result of shipyard loading and technical difficulties.