Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 19 November (HL11342), whether the shipbuilding strategy was based on an assumption that the Solid Support Ships would be built in the UK or overseas.

The National Shipbuilding Strategy was clear that the Fleet Solid Support Ships will be subject to international competition. It makes no assumptions about where the ships will be built.

We have encouraged UK companies to participate in the competition and have been pleased with the positive engagement with UK shipyards and the wider supply chain to date.

For reasons of national security there will be a separate competition, open only to UK companies, to integrate sensitive communications equipment and defensive weapons.