§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for defence what is his policy with respect to the supply of 0/" Browning ammunition from (a) United Kingdom suppliers and (b) foreign suppliers.
§ Mr. SainsburyOur policy is to secure the best long-term value for money on a national basis in procuring the equipment that the armed forces need. We buy British whenever it is sensible, economic and consistent with our international obligations to do so and acquire from overseas only when the advantages of cost, performance and timescale outweigh the longer term benefits of procuring the British alternative. We have recently invited bids from five companies, two of them British for the supply of this ammunition in the quantities required.