§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decision to purchase ship systems to improve the navigational capability of the Hunt and Sandown class of minehunters; and if he will make a statement. [120725]
§ Mr. IngramThe decision to make this purchase for the Hunt and Sandown classes was taken to improve minehunting and minesweeping capability. The procurement will enable these ships to more precisely fix their position in relation to objects detected in the sea.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who drew up the specification for the desert boots and uniforms that were ordered for use in the war in Iraq; who manufactured them; and if he will make a statement. [120731]
§ Mr. IngramThe specification for the desert boots ordered for use in the war in Iraq was drawn up by the manufacturer and approved after evaluation by the Ministry of Defence. The specifications for the other principal uniform items (i.e. lightweight jacket and trousers) were drawn up by qualified Ministry of Defence personnel. The suppliers were as follows.
883W
Item Contractor Desert Boots Iturri S.A. (Seville) Lightweight Jacket Cookson & Clegg; Feuchter Workwear Gmbh Lightweight Trousers Cookson & Clegg; Feuchter Workwear Gmbh