Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Flick Drummond Excerpts
Monday 12th December 2016

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mike Penning Portrait Mike Penning
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Importantly, last week’s report stated that what we needed to achieve was the best value for the Navy. We must make sure that shipyards bid for the work—previously, they have not done so. Let us see what bids come forward and who wins.

Flick Drummond Portrait Mrs Flick Drummond (Portsmouth South) (Con)
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When does my right hon. Friend expect to be able to announce the basing and maintenance options for the Type 26 and Type 23 frigates? Will he confirm that Portsmouth is being considered for at least some of those welcome new ships?

Mike Penning Portrait Mike Penning
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Of course we recognise that bids are coming in. As soon as the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin), who is responsible for defence procurement, has the ability to make that announcement, I am sure she will do so. We are looking forward to the new frigates, not least because, as I said earlier, we can sell off the Type 23s to countries that particularly want them.