Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a preferred business which has shown interest in Shipyard Portsmouth following the closure of the period for expressions of interest in acquiring ownership of the shipyard.

Eight Formal Expressions of interest in the Portsmouth Shipyard were received by the 30 June closing date of which three have been shortlisted.

Details of the specific companies are being withheld as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests