§ 53. Mr. Neil ThorneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he seeks to obtain value for money in those sectors where there is a monopoly United Kingdom supplier.
§ Mr. SainsburyOur policy is to seek the best long term value for money in our purchases and to use competition wherever possible to achieve this. Where there is a monopoly United Kingdom supplier it may be possible to seek competition from overseas. In those cases where overseas competition is not possible we aim to negotiate taut contract conditions with the prime contractor and ensure that there is the maximum competition at the sub-contract level.