§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each of the last five years, including the current year, the amount spent on chartering merchant ships and the number of charterings; if he will indicate for each year the number of charters with British registered ships; and if he will make a statement on his policy for chartering Merchant Navy ships.
§ Mr. AitkenWherever possible, commercial vessels chartered by the Ministry of Defence are obtained from the open market and on the basis of cost, availability and suitability. As many shipowners as possible, both British and foreign, are made aware of the Department's requirements. Value for money takes a high priority in the evaluation of bids. Information on the number of vessels chartered and the cost is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.