Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the tender for the fleet solid support ship contract includes the potential cost of overseas in-service support in the event that that contract is not granted to a UK-based contractor.

The Ministry of Defence is currently assessing the options for the Fleet Solid Support ship programme, and as part of this process will review the requirement and any procurement strategy. It is not possible to provide any further details until this work has been completed.