Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much public money has been spent on the tendering process of the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract.

Competitive Procurement Phase contracts have now been awarded to four consortia, all including UK companies, to mature their design proposals. The contracts are initially worth around £5 million each.

The majority of the remaining cost to the public purse for the tendering process for the Fleet Solid Support Ships is attributable to the personnel employed in the process, these are primarily existing Defence staff. The department is also supported by legal and professional services.