HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark 2025-02-10
2025-02-10
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are set to be disposed of, reportedly sold to another navy for a figure that may undervalue previous investments in refits and maintenance. The sale could impact Plymouth and Devonport dockyard economically and reduce amphibious capability in the Navy.
What his plans are for the disposal of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, given that their reported sale to another navy might undervalue previous spends on refits and maintenance, impacting Plymouth and Devonport dockyard economically, and reducing naval amphibious capabilities when multi-role support ships are half a decade away from service?
I do not recognise any of the figures that have been bandied around in the newspapers; it would not be accurate to take them as anything other than speculation. The disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future, as the First Sea Lord Admiral Ben Key put it. Those ships were effectively mothballed by the previous Government, so I will not take any lessons from Conservative Members on how to deal with these matters.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific figures and economic impacts were not addressed, only dismissed as speculation without providing alternative accurate figures or analysis.
Dismissive Of Reported Figures
Blame The Previous Government
Response accuracy