§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Minister of State for Defence whether machine gun links and light press work produced by the Royal Ordnance factories are competitive in price with the same work undertaken by private firms; and what steps he takes to determine that they are so competitive.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourRoyal Ordnance Factories are generally competitive in price with private firms for this kind of work.
Competitive tendering is carried out unless it is clearly necessary to allocate work to a Royal Ordnance Factory under the well established preferred source policy.
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§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Minister of State for Defence why the manufacture of light press work, such as machine gun links, previously undertaken by private firms is now carried out at the Royal Ordnance factories, notably that at Radway Green; and what capital expenditure was incurred to equip that factory to do the work.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThere has been a reduction in the volume of defence work of this kind and it is likely that the share available for private industry will be less than in the past. Capital expenditure at R.O.F. Radway Green in recent years has been incurred only on replacements for existing plant for this kind of work.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Minister of State for Defence whether there has been any substantial decrease in the Government's requirements for 7.62 mm. links and charges; and what trend is now anticipated.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourYes. No marked change in the present level of requirements is anticipated over the next few years.
1969–70 1970–71 (up to end of November 1970) ROYAL NAVY Adult and Junior 'O': Entries Target Difference Entries Target Difference Seaman … … … 896 1,540 -644 796 859 -63 Communication … … 216 320 -104 158 244 -86 Mechanic (E) … … … 541 890 -349 398 625 -227 Electrical Mechanic … … 584 1,000 -416 548 630 -82 Naval Airman … … 58 115 -57 55 88 -33 Naval Air Mechanic … 149 200 -51 145 147 -2 Medical Technician … … 15 45 -30 6 30 -24 Medical Assistant … … 49 90 -41 48 66 -18 Writer … … … … 53 110 -57 105 84 +21 Stores … … … … 37 110 -73 78 97 -19 Cook … … … … 159 160 -1 139 135 +4 Steward … … … 117 145 -28 85 110 -25 Mechanician Apprentice … 58 90 -32 43 60 -17 Total … … 2,932 4,815 -1,883 2,604 3,175 -571 ROYAL MARINES Adults … … … … 663 870 -207 453 590 -137