Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 120 of his Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, HC1468, published in July 2023, for what reason there was constructive loss relating to patrol craft.

It should be noted that write off assets are not cash losses and do not represent a cost to the Department.

This constructive loss refers to two second hand patrol craft purchased in financial year 2016-17 for the use of the Gibraltar Defence Police. The craft were procured in consultation with the Police and tested in UK waters but, when they reached Gibraltar, they were found to be too unstable for use in in the Straits of Gibraltar where high sea states are common. After due consideration, two of them were transferred to the Defence Equipment Sales Authority for disposal.