§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the subcontracting 287W arrangements being used by the prime contractors for the MCV80 and MCV80 variants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerSubcontract arrangements in all current and planned MCV80 contracts reflect our aim to secure competition at this level, as well as at the main contractor level. Contracts for development of variant vehicles—the major development area remaining — require the prime contractor to select subcontractors on the basis of competitive tendering wherever this is practical. Similarly firms tendering for production contracts are required to maximise competitive subcontracting. Where exceptions are permitted in the interests of safeguarding the programme these are kept under rigorous control.