Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse is of the Government's new arrangement with Babcock for the defuelling of former Royal Navy nuclear submarines in Rosyth and Devonport.

We are currently negotiating a new contractual arrangement with Babcock, to ensure better value for money for the taxpayer to complete the defueling facility. I am withholding the cost as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. I can confirm that defueling of existing and future laid-up nuclear submarines will take place at Devonport.