Main Battle Tank (Hansard, 3 April 1985)

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to invite tenders to build models of the new main battle tank; and if this will take place within the next year.

§ Mr. Lee
The options on a new main battle tank continue to be the subject of study. It is highly unlikely that industry will be invited to tender for models of a new main battle tank within the next year.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence which companies will be invited to tender for the new main battle tank; and in which year he expects to announce a decision on the tenders.

§ Mr. Lee
It is too early to give any meaningful answer on this subject, but all firms with the necessary expertise will be considered.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis the Government invited private sector companies to submit evaluation studies for the new main battle tank.

§ Mr. Lee
In 1982–83 the Department invited companies concerned with armoured fighting vehicles building to submit their ideas on main battle tank concepts which should meet the possible requirements of the British Army from the mid-1990s into the next century, together with time and cost data. These inputs form part of the present studies in the Department.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates to be the value of the final contract for the new main battle tank for the British Army.

§ Mr. Lee
It is far too early to give any meaningful answer on the subject.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what role the defence procurement section is to have in the examination of the evaluation studies for the new main battle tank for the British Army.

§ Mr. Lee
The procurement executive will continue to fulfil its normal role of technical and procurement evaluation of options available.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what role the defence procurement section is to take in the award of the final contract for building the new main battle tank; and in which year he expects to announce such a decision.
673W

§ Mr. Lee
The procurement executive would carry out its normal role of technical and procurement evaluation of available options. It is too early to forecast any final contract time scales.