Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November to Question 87744 on Navy: Training, when he expects negotiations to conclude on the departure of Elbit Systems UK from Project Selborne.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly reviews its capability programmes. As the result of a recent review, the MOD is in discussion with Elbit Systems UK about their departure from submarine training in the Project Selborne contract and has already agreed the company's departure from Dreadnought Crew Training contract. This has not happened because of any specific issues with Elbit Systems UK or any wrongdoing on their part but rather a result of applying revised operational sovereignty standards for the UK's highest priority capabilities. Elbit Systems UK remains an important and trusted partner across a range of other contracts in Defence.

Negotiations are currently underway with Elbit Systems UK and therefore I am unable to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.