Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether departments other than the Ministry of Defence are involved in assessing bids to build the three new solid support ships; how they intend to compare overseas and UK bids; and whether, in doing so, they plan to take into account UK requirements, in particular those relating to (1) the development of high tech skills, (2) the modernisation of plant, (3) productivity, (4) energy usage, and (5) the welfare of workers and their families.

The Future Solid Support Ship programme is currently in its Assessment Phase and the criteria by which bids will be assessed have yet to be developed.