§ Mr. Douglas Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many horseshoes were delivered to the Army in the years 1945 and 1979.
§ Mr. GoodhartA total of 12,800 pairs of horse shoes were purchased centrally in 1979: this is above the annual average over the last 30 years. Figures for the years prior to 1952 are no longer available.
§ Mr. Douglas Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Defence what contractual arrangements exist for the supply of horseshoes to the Army; and for how long these arrangements have remained unchanged in respect of the quantity supplied.
§ Mr. GoodhartAs far back as our records go, central procurement of horseshoes has always been by fixed price366W contract for the full quantities purchased from time to time. From 1679 to 1979, it is believed that contracts were awarded following comparatively informal inquiries as to prices, but in 1980 a formal competitive tendering was held. Whether this will be repeated in the future will depend mainly on the size and value of the requirement.