§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of(a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128984]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence does not operate an approved list of manufacturers of cars or commercial vehicles. The supplier is normally selected through competition. The Department's policy is to seek the best value for money and this will determine whether we purchase or lease vehicles in specific cases. However, management of cars and commercial vehicles is not core MOD business and as a consequence the Department is actively pursuing the provision of vehicle and support services through a competitively let Private Finance Initiative contract. It will be for the contractor to determine the type and mix of vehicles to provide the necessary service.