§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the current level of orders with the Royal Ordnance factory at Patricroft.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Ministry of Defence places its orders with Royal Ordnance plc and with other defence contractors some of whom sub contract work to Royal Ordnance. The loading of individual factories within Royal Ordnance to implement such contracts and sub contracts is a matter for Royal Ordnance plc.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his policy toward the timing of orders to Royal Ordnance factories in the light of the protection tendering procedure.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe primary objective of our procurement policy is to satisfy the essential requirements of the services in a way that secures the best value for money for the taxpayer. As a matter of good procurement practice, we do however seek to maintain, as far as is practicable, an even ordering pattern to allow efficient production planning by our suppliers.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about redundancy programmes planned or considered at the Royal Ordnance factory, Patricroft.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonEmployment levels at individual sites of Royal Ordnance plc are a matter for the company.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Defence which companies remain as bidders for the Royal Ordnance Factories plc.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) on 16 March 1987 at column376.