§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of contracts with the United States for(a) rations, (b) clothing, (c) footwear and (d) logistical services for UK forces in the Gulf. [103733]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 18 March 2003]The United Kingdom has a long-standing bilateral arrangement with the United States that enables our personnel to receive logistical services and food from US and local sources. This arrangement provides a framework of enabling contracts, some elements of which are calculated on anticipated daily consumption rates and others on term hire rates. These arrangements apply mainly to base camps and are likely to remain in place for the duration of operations in Iraq. We also contract for support services independently where this is more appropriate. In addition, a number of items of clothing and footwear have been acquired from the US at a cost of around £250,000.