HC Deb 28 January 1958 vol 581 cc65-6W
Mr. Albu

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage by value of direct purchases and maintenance work required by his Department is at present carried out, respectively, by Service establishments and by private firms.

Mr. Soames

About 97 per cent. of Army equipment is bought through the Ministry of Supply or other Government Departments and the remainder direct from private firms. Production in Army establishments is negligible. In the United Kingdom, Army establishments undertake about 80 per cent. of repairs to military equipment. A very small proportion, mainly boot repairs, is done by civilian firms and the balance through the agency of the Ministry of Supply. Overseas our repairs are done almost entirely by the Army.