§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the role of Rosyth dockyard in the(a) construction and (b) equipping of the (i) Type 45 and (ii) new aircraft carrier; [130664]
(2) whether Rosyth dockyard will be (a) the whole ship integration yard for the new aircraft carrier and (b) involved in the block construction of the new aircraft carrier. [130665]
§ Mr. IngramAs the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 30 January, our view at this stage of the assessment process is that the future aircraft carriers should be built by a combination of four UK shipyards. In addition to the Babcock BES facility at Rosyth, we would envisage construction work being carried out by: BAe Systems Naval Ships yard at Govan; Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth; and Swan Hunter on Tyneside. The involvement of other United Kingdom shipyards has not, however, been ruled out. No final decisions on the allocation of work—including the construction of blocks and final assembly site—will be made until the Demonstration and Manufacture contract is let in Spring 2004.
We envisage no involvement for Rosyth dockyard in either the construction or the equipping of the Type 45 Destroyer.
§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the role of Rosyth dockyard as a strategic asset for the Naval Fleet. [130666]
§ Mr. IngramCapacity within United Kingdom industry is kept under review to ensure that the requirements of the Navy for surface warship refit and repair work can be met. Rosyth dockyard has provided a significant element of that capacity for many years, both before and since privatisation, and should continue to do so as we move towards increased competition. In addition, Rosyth dockyard is one of four yards named earlier this year as having the potential for involvement in the construction and assembly of the new future aircraft carriers.