Written question asked by Charles Kennedy (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 30 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that bids to build the replacement for the Invincible Class Carriers take account of UK dry dock facilities; and if he will make a statement. - Including fact that no final decisions have yet been made.

Answer: Mr. Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that bids to build the replacement for the Invincible Class Carriers take account of UK dry dock facilities; and if he will make a statement. [78989] Dr. Moonie: In line with Government policy on warship construction the Royal Navy's two new Future Aircraft Carriers (CVFs) will be built in the United Kingdom. This is clearly understood by both of the candidate prime contractors for CVF--BAE SYSTEMS and Thales--and as part of their work to date they have assessed the capabilities of a number of sites throughout the United Kingdom that have the potential to participate in the build (construction and outfitting of modules or blocks of the vessel) and assembly (the joining together of the blocks into a whole ship in a suitable dry dock). No final decisions have yet been made.

Secondary information