HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc705-6W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he took to establish that the tender for combat and operational clothing supplies DC4BESL/1002 Cut and Sew had been conducted in accordance with EU tendering rules. [186202]

Mr. Ingram

All tenders for non-warlike stores are conducted in accordance with the Public Supply Contract Regulations 1995.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that would(a) be created in the UK if the contract for combat and operational clothing supplies DC4BESL/1002 Cut and Sew were to be let to a UK company and (b) be lost in the UK if the contract was awarded to a firm in China. [186203]

Mr. Ingram

The contract referred to has been awarded to a United Kingdom company creating a small number of quality jobs and it safeguards approximately 40 other jobs. Some new positions have already been advertised in both local and national press, and it is anticipated that further jobs will be created for UK staff during the life of the contract.

No direct contract has been awarded to China and as such its impact has not been measured.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were set down for shortlisting companies tendering for the combat and operational clothing contract DC4DESL/1002; and whether all the companies on the shortlist met all the criteria. [184363]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 15 July 2004]: Criteria used, through a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, were consistent with the Public Supply Contract Regulations 1995; specifically Regulations 14, 15, 16, 17 and 20. All companies selected for the Tender Panel met the criteria.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on security of supply in relation to contract DC4BESL/1002 Cut and Sew from China. [184348]

Mr. Ingram

The production of these garments is considered low risk—the most significant technical aspect is the maintenance of the required Infra Red Reflective (IRR) standard. Not withstanding this, the Prime Contractor has identified controls to ensure performance levels are maintained. The Prime Contractor will also have in place a viable logistic system to maintain security of supply.