Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Spokesperson's comments on 22 November 2022, which vital skills and technology transfer will be transferred to the UK as a result of the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract.

The transfer of technology and skills from Navantia to the UK shipbuilding industry that the Fleet Solid Support ship programme will facilitate, includes provision for a team of Spanish shipbuilding experts to be resident within Harland & Wolff (H&W) to upskill local staff to deliver the construction in the UK and ensure build productivity and quality levels are met. A 'Train the Trainer' methodology will be used, which will allow for skills transfer across a number of shipbuilding trades.

Through the contract, Navantia will share its expertise in build processes and the use of modern technology, which will be shared with UK partners. This includes investments in software complementing the recapitalisation investment in facilities, plant and machinery. This will result in significant productivity improvements, and the upskilling of H&W's UK workforce.