§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what supplies to the Mount Pleasant base in the Falkland islands are purchased from south America; and what encouragement has been given to local companies to provide produce and supplies;
(2) what is the total annual value of contracts undertaken at the Mount Pleasant base by civilian contractors; what proportion of these contracts has been offered to local companies for tender; and what is the total annual value of contracts undertaken by local companies;
(3) what is the value of non-recreational spending by the military garrison in the Falkland islands; and what percentage this represents of the Falklands' gross national product;
(4) what is the annual value of supplies to the Mount Pleasant base (a) of Falkland origin and (b) of non-Falkland origin purchased from local companies.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe encourage the use of local suppliers in meeting our requirements where this is cost effective. Local companies are encouraged to tender for contracts.
Excluding the major contracts with PSA International/Turners for works and maintenance, and with Bristows for the provision of support helicopters, the total annual value of civilian contracts for goods and services at the Mount Pleasant complex is currently some £2.4 million. Over three quarters of these contracts are let to local companies, representing some £777,000 of non-recreational spending by the garrison in the Falklands. The Falkland Islands Government do not publish a figure for gross national product, nor are records available showing the origin of the goods supplied by local companies.
No supplies are currently purchased directly by the garrison from south America, although a trial has been conducted to establish whether such arrangements would be feasible and cost effective. The results of the trial are being considered.