Purchasing Strategy (Hansard, 6 November 2003)

HC Deb 06 November 2003 vol 412 c773W 773W

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to take into consideration(a) the social issues involving the employment of disabled people, (b) strategic issues regarding product development and (c) response times to crises, when determining his Department's purchasing strategy; and if he will make a statement. [135763]

§ Mr. Ingram
The decision on the appropriate purchasing strategy for any procurement has to take into account a wide range of factors, underpinned by the need to provide the armed forces with the equipment they require at best value for money for the taxpayer. As set out in the Government's Defence industrial Policy (published in October 2002), these factors include, amongst others, security of supply and the ability to respond in times of crises, and the implications for key technologies and industrial capabilities.
Most contracts for the procurement of goods and services include an express condition of contract which encourages our prime contractors to give consideration to the placing of sub-contract work with Supported Employment Enterprises.

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decision to change the purchasing strategy of chemical and biological warfare protection suits by changing the tender from UK only to international sourcing; and if he will make a statement. [135764]

§ Mr. Ingram
There has been no change in the Ministry of Defence's purchasing strategy for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) warfare protection suits with regard to the tendering process. These items are classed as warlike stores and as such are exempt from the requirement to advertise in the European Journal (OJEC). The Department advertises its requirements for these items in the MOD Contracts Bulletin. Any company may respond and the Department will run a competition to ensure that its requirements are met in the most cost-effective way.
The procurement of CBRN suits is included in the Defence Logistic Organisation's procurement reform strategy, for Supplier Base Optimisation, which is 51 ill under review.