Written question asked by Lord Maples (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 July 1998. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 July 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of cancelling the refit of HMS Splendid at Devonport. - (Holding answer 28 July 1998).

Answer: Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of cancelling the refit of HMS Splendid at Devonport. [52738] Mr. George Robertson: [holding answer 28 July 1998]: No costs have been incurred to-date in respect of the decision to cancel HMS Splendid's refit, which had been planned to take place at Devonport in 2003. Devonport Management Limited, the owners of the Dockyard, are required, as far as is possible, to mitigate the loss of the refit. In addition, we may decide to re-profile Devonport's allocated workload to take account of the peaks and troughs in the programme, thereby reducing the effect of the cancellation. Once this work has been completed, nearer to 2003, we anticipate that the irrecoverable costs associated with the loss of Splendid will be minimal, but it is too early to say. It is also too early to say whether any redundancy costs, for which MOD might be liable, will arise.

Secondary information