Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Luke (Conservative). It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Labour) on Thursday, 24 January 2008.

Royal Navy: Aircraft Carriers

Question: What progress has been made with the signing of the contract for the two new aircraft carriers.

Answer: My Lords, first, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Darryl Gardiner, who was killed in operations in Afghanistan last Sunday. A number of contracts have been placed with the supply chain for design and engineering data and for materials in support of manufacture of the carriers. The key elements of the manufacturing contract have been worked on by industry and MoD teams over many months and are now substantially in place.

Secondary information