Written question asked by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's Military Afloat Research and Sustainability programme is covered by his commitment that warships for the Royal Navy will be built in the UK; whether the (a) renewal and (b) replacement of fleet auxiliaries is covered by his commitment that warships for the Royal Navy will be built in the UK.

Answer: Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether his Department's Military Afloat Research and Sustainability programme is covered by his commitment that warships for the Royal Navy will be built in the UK; [194450] (2) whether the (a) renewal and (b) replacement of fleet auxiliaries is covered by his commitment that warships for the Royal Navy will be built in the UK. [194451] Mr. Ingram: It is Government policy that the fabrication and assembly of new Royal Navy warship hulls should be undertaken in the United Kingdom. Though current Royal Fleet auxiliary ships are not warships they are classed as `warlike' and options for replacing these ships are being examined. The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project is at an early stage and no decision has been taken as to what will be procured; however, we expect that MARS ships will probably be `warlike'.

Secondary information