Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 20 October (HL2896), whether the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the proposed New Shipbuilding Strategy; and if so, will Ministry of Defence have responsibility for any (1) commercial shipbuilding, or (2) repairs for the maritime sector in (a) Cornwall, and (b) any other areas in the UK.

The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) is responsible for the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh. The NSO is a cross-Government office hosted within the Ministry Of Defence reporting directly to the Secretary of State for Defence in his role as Shipbuilding Tsar. The NSO was formally announced during London International Shipping Week in September 2021 and will work across Government to align Departmental activity with the vision, endorsed by both Government and industry, to create a globally successful, innovative and sustainable shipbuilding enterprise that works for all parts of the UK.

The NSO's remit spans the entire shipbuilding enterprise, including commercial shipbuilding and repair. However, the relevant Departments remain responsible for the procurement and delivery of their own shipbuilding and through-life support programmes.