§ Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis an order is to be placed on behalf of the Berlin Brigade for armoured personnel carriers with Thyssen Maschinenbau; what suitable alternatives manufactured by United Kingdom firms were considered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyConsideration is being given to the purchase from the Berlin occupation costs budget of Thyssen TM170 hard-skinned troop carrying vehicles to provide protected mobility for the British Brigade in Berlin. The vehicles would be used solely for duties relating to Berlin and would be based there permanently. No orders have been signed. The Berlin occupation costs budget covers the extra costs incurred by the allies through332W stationing troops in the city and is funded by the Federal German Government. Purchases from it are normally made in deutschmarks, from within the German economy, and preference is given to equipment of German manufacture when, as in this case, suitable items are available.