Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether potential suppliers of (a) design services and (b) construction services for the UK’s national flagship will be permitted to attend the industry day organised by his Department for potential suppliers if those suppliers are not based in the UK.

As set out in the Prior Information Notice published on 2 July 2021, the National Flagship will be built in the UK. The Ministry of Defence will conduct an international competition for the design of the ship in order to ensure that we can procure a world-class design and UK companies will be encouraged to participate. The Prior Information Notice places no restriction on the nationality of the participants in the planned period of market engagement. This is an opportunity for talented British designers to work alongside international partners to develop a truly outstanding design for the National Flagship.