§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reviews of British shipbuilding capabilities and capacity he is conducting; and if he will make a statement. [128770]
§ Dr. MoonieThis 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 Robert Walmsley to Mr. Quentin Davies, dated 11 July 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about reviews of British shipbuilding capabilities and capacities. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
Weapon type 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Sub-machine guns — 8 — 2 — 36 Shotguns — — — 100 — — Pistols — — — — 491 — Specialist rifles — — — — — 139 New special forces small arm — — — — — 1,380 Total per year — 8 — 102 491 1,555 At present there are only two future purchases planned in the next five years: the Personal Defence Weapon, which will replace the current in-service 9 mm pistol, where we plan to procure up to 15,000 weapons and a small buy of about 20 large calibre Sniper Rifles.