12. Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he can forecast the future purchases of Land Rover by his Department.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. John Lee)We expect to order 2,600 of the new 90 model in the very near future. These orders will meet our requirements up to 1988–89. In addition, the company is currently competing for the services' requirement for a 1-tonne utility truck replacement, the order for which will be placed in the early part of 1987.
Mr. John Mark TaylorWhile I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him whether, when his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry moves closer to a decision on the future of Land Rover, he will guide him if there are any security issues to be taken into account, and will he look in detail at the ownership of the various bids?
§ Mr. LeeAll I can say to my hon. Friend is that the defence interests will be conveyed, and have been, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.