§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the value of the contract for Rapier Mk 2 surface-to-air missiles that was awarded to Matra BAe Dynamics; [100760]
(2) how many Rapier Mk 2 surface-to-air missiles have been ordered from Matra BAe Dynamics in addition to the original order. [100759]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 15 December 1999:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the value of the contract for Rapier Mk 2 surface-to-air missiles that was awarded to Matra BAe Dynamics. You also asked how many Rapier Mk 2 surface-to-air missiles have been ordered from Matra BAe Dynamics additional to the original order. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The value of the contract for Rapier Mk 2 surface-to-air missiles that was awarded to Matra BAe Dynamics is around £260M. I am afraid that I am unable to let you know how many missiles have been ordered as it is considered that the release of this information would be harmful to our national security interests and would also be in breach of a third party's commercial confidences. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemptions 1 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.