Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will publish a Contract Notice for Submarine Disposal following the Market Interest Day held on 6 July 2023.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Submarine Disposal Capability project was established in 2022 to identify an enduring disposal solution. The project is in its Concept Phase and market engagements were undertaken in July 2023 and June 2024 to inform the optimum way ahead.

The next phase of this work is to develop a business case for approval which will set out the approach and future timelines for any procurement action, including further marker engagement, such as the publishing of a Contract Notice.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what locations are being considered for the (a) build and (b) assembly of the fleet solid support ships.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships project remains a priority. On current plans, the three FSS ships will be assembled from blocks which are expected to be built in Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Belfast and Appledore in Devon and Navantia's shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. Assembly and integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.

Following a review of H&W's financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to hold discussions with his AUKUS counterparts on including the Submarine Dismantling Project in that partnership.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of the AUKUS partnership, Australia will be responsible for the disposal of its own conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarines. While there are no plans to include the Submarine Dismantling Project as part of AUKUS, the UK Government continues to support the Australian Government to develop their own plans for the disposal of their retired nuclear powered submarines, including decommissioning, defueling, dismantling, recycling, and the management of the used fuel following its removal.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual cost is of maintaining decommissioned nuclear submarines at (a) Rosyth and (b) Devonport.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The annual cost for maintaining decommissioned submarines varies each year depending on the respective maintenance requirements. In financial year 2023-24, £1.711 million was spent at Rosyth and £7.056 million at Devonport.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to allow users to cancel more easily on UK consumers.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to be cancelled more easily on the UK.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) crew accommodation and (b) crewing levels in the Fleet Solid Support Ships contract following the principal contractor’s completion of the Preliminary Design Review stage.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Navantia UK, the prime contractor for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, is responsible for delivering the Design and Manufacture contract. The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review marks the first major milestone in the programme and confirms the robustness and maturity of the ship’s design.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) including representatives from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are well engaged with Navantia and the British designer of the ship, BMT, to monitor the progress of all aspects of the programme. This includes the RFA’s accommodation requirements, which are designed to a standard that is fully consistent with our expectations and is compliant where practicable with Merchant shipping regulations. The FSS design meets this intent, in order to improve the living conditions for our RFA seafarers.

Crewing levels are based on a detailed analysis of the MOD’s requirements. The core RFA crew is expected to be around 100 in number with additional military augmentees and specialists embarked for specific tasks and roles. As the design matures the MOD, working with the contractor, test the ship design and equipment selection criteria against this headmark, to ensure that the ship can be safely operated and maintained.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what oversight his Department has had in the preliminary design review of the Fleet Solid Support Ships programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Navantia UK, the prime contractor for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, is responsible for delivering the Design and Manufacture contract. The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review marks the first major milestone in the programme and confirms the robustness and maturity of the ship’s design.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) including representatives from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are well engaged with Navantia and the British designer of the ship, BMT, to monitor the progress of all aspects of the programme. This includes the RFA’s accommodation requirements, which are designed to a standard that is fully consistent with our expectations and is compliant where practicable with Merchant shipping regulations. The FSS design meets this intent, in order to improve the living conditions for our RFA seafarers.

Crewing levels are based on a detailed analysis of the MOD’s requirements. The core RFA crew is expected to be around 100 in number with additional military augmentees and specialists embarked for specific tasks and roles. As the design matures the MOD, working with the contractor, test the ship design and equipment selection criteria against this headmark, to ensure that the ship can be safely operated and maintained.

150 years of Heart of Midlothian Football Club

Deputy Lieutenant Eunice Simpson and West Lothian African Women’s Network