§ Mr. Brittanasked the Secretary of State for Defence what new factors have arisen leading him to conclude that competition for the provision of specialised services at the Fylingdales ballistic missile early warning system is now feasible, when there has been no such competition in the past.
§ Mr. JuddThe possibility of competition for the contract for the provision of services at Fylingdales has been periodically examined and, until recently, rejected on the grounds that no other contractor could be expected to take over the project,324W if this arose, and fulfil the high operational standards and stringent technical requirements demanded. Experience with similar equipment elsewhere now shows that contractors can be changed without degradation in performance and that competition is feasible. In consequence normal contractual policy has been applied.