§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the new explosive factory in the US run by BAE Systems will meet all the UK's requirements for military explosives; [40962]
(2) what his long-term policy is on the manufacture of explosives in the UK. [40963]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence places contracts for the supply of whole munitions. The sourcing of components for those munitions, including high explosives, is a matter for the prime contractor. The MOD aim is to achieve value for the taxpayer, as well as the security of supply of safe and reliable munitions for the armed forces. The Framework Partnering Agreement between the MOD and Royal Ordnance Defence which was signed in 1999, has been established to help ensure these aims, and world benchmark prices for munitions supplied to the MOD, are achieved.