Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotland: military shipbuilding
Scottish Affairs Committee
HC 1096
Published 27 January 2023
Recommendations
28
Rejected
Para 79
The Ministry of Defence should publish data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains, to...
Recommendation
The Ministry of Defence should publish data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains, to assist understanding of how the UK shipbuilding industry is structured. This should include regional breakdowns so that the extent of local supply chains and industry …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The MOD did not commit to publishing data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains and instead outlined existing initiatives to understand and improve supply chain resilience.
Scotland Office
View Details →
59
Rejected
Given the ongoing global uncertainties we ask the UK Government to provide annual updates on...
Recommendation
Given the ongoing global uncertainties we ask the UK Government to provide annual updates on the construction of the Type 26 vessels to both Houses of Parliament. We note that the Defence Select Committee has made a similar recommendation, but …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The MOD does not disclose details of losing bids in commercial competitions and states that the FSS contract award resulted from a fair and open competition, supporting the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Scotland Office
View Details →
Conclusions (4)
1
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 17
The UK Government’s approach to procuring warships has shifted in recent years, and it is no longer the default position that warships will be designed and built fully in the UK, which was of concern to some in the Scottish military shipbuilding sector.
Government Response Summary
The MOD disagrees that its approach has shifted away from designing and building warships fully in the UK. They state the DSIS provides flexibility and considers long-term industrial impact, and the Shipbuilding Tsar will maximize UK content where possible.
6
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 26
The Secretary of State told us that Team UK’s bid for the Fleet Solid Support contract was “non-compliant” with the terms of the competition but did not give further details. We would welcome further information to help understand the Government’s reasoning.
Government Response Summary
The MOD declined to provide further details on why Team UK's bid was non-compliant, citing commercial interests of the bidders.
20
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 62
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order of Fleet Solid Support ships could create a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry.
Government Response Summary
The MOD disagrees that the Fleet Solid Support contract creates a gap in work for Scottish shipyards, citing ongoing Type 31 and Type 26 frigate construction. They claim delaying the build of Fleet Solid Support ships would put vital capability at risk.
62
Conclusion
Rejected
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order of Fleet Solid Support ships could create a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry.
Government Response Summary
The MOD does not agree that the decision to award the Fleet Solid Support contract to Team Resolute creates a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry, citing ongoing construction of Type 31 and Type 26 frigates.