§ Mr. Marplesasked the Minister of Technology what are the regulations of his Department for evaluating tenders to supply navigation instruments.
§ Mr. Benn,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th July, 1969; Vol. 787, c. 41.]
I regret that the Answer I gave dealt only with development. As regards production the Department applies the standard procurement regulations in use by all Government Departments.
§ Mr. Marplesasked the Minister of Technology (1) for the latest year for which figures are available, what was the 309W total departmental expenditure on navigation instruments; how this is divided between air and sea navigation equipment and between development contracts and production contracts; and what proportion of each contract category was placed as a result of competitive tendering;
(2) what proportion, by value of navigation instruments procured by his department, was for use by his department; and on behalf of what other departments and nationalised industries instruments were purchased, for the latest convenient stated period.
§ Mr. BennPursuant to his reply.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th July, 1969; Vol. 787, c.45–46.]
I regret that the answer I gave dealt only with development.
Expenditure on production contracts in 1968–69 was approximately £9.8 million for the Air Force Department and the Navy Department, all on air navigation equipment. There was no expenditure in 1968–69 on ground navigational aids. About 10 per cent. of the total orders were placed as a result of competitive tendering.
In addition to the above, considerable expenditure on navigation instruments and equipment is incurred by military aircraft constructors on direct purchases.
All production orders referred to in the second paragraph were placed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.