A £3 BILLION warship is not being “mothballed”, the Defence Secretary has said, following reports of so-called “cannibalisation” after only being declared fully operational in 2021.
The HMS Prince of Wales warship broke down last August after it suffered a broken propeller shaft, and then sailed to Rosyth in Scotland to undergo repairs in dry dock.
Media outlets have reported the ship is undergoing “cannibalisation”, a Royal Navy term for when parts or equipment from one ship are taken and used for another.
Speaking during a session of questions to defence ministers in the Commons, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted the process was “perfectly normal” and the warship would be back in full service by the autumn.
He was responding to SNP MP Douglas Chapman (above), who said: “HMS Prince of Wales currently lies in Rosyth for repairs, and I hear it’s being cannibalised for spare parts.
READ MORE: HMS Prince of Wales to be 'cannibalised' following mechanical failure
“Will this £3 billion asset be back in full operational duties by the end of this year?”
Wallace said: “Yes, by the autumn. And by the way, cannibalisation – it is perfectly normal for ships to take ship’s stores from each other.
“This is not being cannibalised because somehow the ship is off to be mothballed. This ship is going to be back in full service in autumn.”
Wallace earlier told the Commons that Ministry of Defence is “examining the liabilities and who should cough up” for the “misalignment” issues with the carrier’s propeller shaft.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel