§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many light dumpers his Department will be purchasing from A/S Hydrema of Denmark under contract No. EM and DIA/92; how many United Kingdom contractors tendered for this contract; what consideration was given to lease of the equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanTwelve light dumpers will be purchased from A/S Hydrema under contract No. EM and DIA/92. One United Kingdom contractor was invited to tender for the contract but declined to bid. Leasing was not considered appropriate in this instance but will be considered for equipment and components on a case-by-case basis.
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department is proposing to re-paint certain RAF VC10s; to what extent contractors will be involved in the proposed (i) structural corrosion810W survey, (ii) major maintenance and (iii) rectification of corrosion; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe paint finish on military aircraft serves two functions. The colour scheme and type of paint are selected to camouflage the aircraft. In addition, the surface finish protects the underlying structure from the damaging effects of the environment and, in particular, acts as an anti-corrosion treatment. As paint deteriorates with age, it is necessary to repaint aircraft routinely.
The repaint contractor will not be involved in either the structural corrosion survey, which will be undertaken by RAF technicians, or the major maintenance, which is completed by the RAF at RAF St. Athan with the assistance of a contractor's working party. Corrosion identified by RAF technicians will be rectified during major maintenance.
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline current arrangements for repair and overhaul of marine diesel engines used by the Royal Navy, showing the extent of contractor involvement.
§ Mr. FreemanExcept for minor repair and maintenance work, the repair and overhaul of marine diesel engines used by the Royal Navy is undertaken by contractors, mostly appointed through competition.
§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the contract for the ocean survey vessel will be awarded on the same basis as the landing platforrn, helicopters; and what differences there will be in the criteria used.
§ Mr. FreemanAs with the award of the contract for the design and build of the landing platform helicopter, the outcome of the current competition for the ocean survey vessel will be based on best value for money for the defence budget.