HC Deb 21 March 1985 vol 75 cc582-3W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is considering a tender from United Scientific Holdings or its associate company Alvis for the manufacture of a new range of armoured personnel carriers.

Mr. Butler

Alvis is one of four firms participating in competitive tendering for production of the Army's new MCV 80 vehicle. Tenders have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence and are now being assessed.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total value of his Department's contract for its new range of armoured personnel carriers.

Mr. Butler

It would not be appropriate to disclose an estimate of MCV 80 production contract values while competitive tenders are still being assessed.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the first orders of the contract for the new range of armoured personnel carriers will be placed.

Mr. Butler

Our intention is to let contracts for MCV 80 production in mid-1985.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects subsequent orders for the new range of armoured personnel carriers to be placed.

Mr. Butler

A decision whether to let contracts this summer for all or only a part of the total requirement will be taken only when competitive tenders have been fully assessed.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role of the new Chief of Defence Procurement in the examination of tenders for the initial, and subsequent, contracts to manufacture the new range of armoured personnel carriers.

Mr. Butler

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.