Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the National Shipbuilding Office had discussions with the Northern Lighthouse Board prior to the award of a £51.8 million shipbuilding contract to a company based in Spain.

The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) had regular engagement with the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) and the Department for Transport (DfT) before the contract for the new vessel was awarded to identify opportunities for the programme to support the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Astilleros Gondán S.A. was awarded the contract following an open, fair and transparent competitive tender process. Two UK shipyards were included in the shortlist but both yards elected not to submit a tender.

The NSO continues to work with both the NLB and DfT to maximise the opportunities that the contract has created for the UK supply chain.