HMS “Queen Elizabeth”

Lord Spicer Excerpts

Thursday 2nd March 2017 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, perhaps I can clarify the timetable a little bit. “The summer” means “a little later than shortly”. To address the substance of his question, this is about the need to test systems. The Queen Elizabeth class carriers are the largest and most complex warships ever built in this country. It is essential that we thoroughly test the ship’s many complex systems before she begins sea trials. None of the issues now being tested will affect acceptance of contract of HMS “Queen Elizabeth” later this year. The work is within the tolerance that we had anticipated in the contract schedule.

[Lord Spicer (Con)]

When the carriers have been sorted out, can we have a Spithead review so that we can see for ourselves the size and might of the new British Navy?

[Earl Howe]

I am sure that the First Sea Lord will be very interested in that suggestion.