Submarines: Safety

Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department is planning to spend on submarine safety, with particular reference to (a) hull structure, (b) hydromechanics and (c) maritime life support in each of the next five years.

Mr. Quentin Davies
Maintaining safety is an integral part of all aspects of submarine development, procurement, operation and support, whether carried out by the MOD, its contractors or the Royal Navy. The total MOD expenditure on submarine safety cannot therefore be distinguished from the wider costs of the submarine programme.

Information about expenditure that relates only to safety is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.