Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Frigates and Destroyers

Monday 3 February 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will undertake a review of Britain's security, defence and foreign policy.
  • The Royal Navy will deploy both aircraft carriers to ensure one is always available 100% of the time.
  • The Secretary of State agreed to stop the competition for Fleet Solid Support Ships in November.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Defence
Context

The MP raises concerns about the number of ships available to protect two new aircraft carriers simultaneously.

Question

What plans does he have to increase the number of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers? While welcoming the commitment, I raise concerns that there are not enough ships to protect both aircraft carriers if they were to go to sea at the same time. Is it still the commitment of the Government to deploy two wholly UK sovereign deployable carrier groups simultaneously?

Answer from James Heappey (Minister of State for Defence)

The Government will undertake a review of Britain's security, defence and foreign policy. Although it has never been the policy to deploy two carrier groups simultaneously, both aircraft carriers are brought into service to ensure that one is always available 100% of the time. The Royal Navy will draw from a range of highly capable vessels for deployment within maritime task groups.

Answered
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Q2 Martin Docherty SNP West Dunbartonshire
Defence
Context

The MP speaks about the importance of shipbuilding skills in his constituency, noting that Fleet Solid Support Ships could create work across yards not currently involved in other projects.

Question

Will the Minister assure me that he will maximise public delivery by taking it across and keeping it within the UK?

Answer from James Heappey (Minister of State for Defence)

In November, the Secretary of State agreed to stop the competition for Fleet Solid Support Ships as it became clear that a value-for-money solution could not be reached. The Department is now considering the most appropriate way forward.

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