§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of operating Millbank Technical Service Ordnance; how many staff are employed by the company; and, of these, how many have had experience outside the Armed Forces or Civil Service.
§ Mr. JuddAs the parent company, Millbank Technical Services, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Crown Agents, I have been asked to reply.
Millbank Technical Services (Ordnance) Limited was formed in partnership with Wimpey and Laing to undertake a specific contract, the cost of which is fully reimbursable as the work proceeds. The company's operations have not therefore given rise to any charge on public funds. I am informed that the company at present employs 57 staff, of whom 50 have experience other than that of the Armed Forces or Civil Service.