§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the original estimated cost of the battlefield artillery target engagement system when the project was originally undertaken; and what was the total outturn cost of the BATES 1 facility; [18224]
(2) what was the original estimated cost of the BATES 2 project; what has been the total expenditure on it to date; and what is the latest total estimated outcome cost of the BATES 2 facility. [18225]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe release of cost figures for BATES phase 1 would prejudice continuing negotiations with the contractor and I am therefore withholding them under exemption 7 of the "practice on access to Government information". BATES phase 2 is expected to cost about 489W £80 million, slightly less than the original estimated cost. Less than £1 million remains to be spent.