§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reasons the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers has been delayed; [2343]
(2) what criteria were given to RAND for their report into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers; [2346]
(3) when the report by RAND into the bidders contract to build type 45 destroyers will be completed; and when he will make a decision; [2344]
(4) if the Government will publish the findings of the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers. [2345]
§ Dr. MoonieWe commissioned RAND to do a study on a range of alternative procurement strategies for our future warship programmes over the next 15 to 20 years, with particular reference to options for the type 45 destroyers. The study is intended to help inform, not make, decisions by the Department within the context of obtaining value for money over the warship programme as a whole.
2W The study has not been delayed and RAND have provided their initial findings to the Department. We used these to help assess the best way forward for the type 45 procurement strategy as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 July 2001, Official Report, columns 675–85. We will continue to use RAND to advise us on related issues over the next few weeks.
We expect RAND to publish a report based on their findings in the autumn, after consultation with interested parties over the confidentiality of its content, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.