Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 13 September (HL Deb, col 1389), whether, and if so when, they are planning to provide an update regarding the concerns raised by Lord Boyce.

I have reflected on the concerns raised by the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Boyce, regarding the sale of Royal Fleet Auxiliary Diligence.

The Royal Navy continues to work with industry and is investing to ensure that Service personnel have the required skills in diagnostics and repair to provide this future support. More widely, consideration of different and innovative ways of providing that support to deliver the best value for money for the taxpayer is an ongoing process. The Royal Navy is confident that, through a combination of the measures that I outlined in response to the oral question by Lord Boyce on 13 September 2016, the required support will be available.