§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been awarded since 1980 by his Department to International Military Services.
§ Mr. AitkenUntil it ceased trading in July 1991, the role of IMS was to supply overseas Governments with equipment and services in the defence field, as a prime contractor, operating within guidelines laid down by my Department. Consequently there would normally be no reason for my Department to place contracts on the company. The only exception to this was an arrangement to fund the cost of a single individual employed by IMS in the late 1980s to provide after-sales service on equipment developed by my Department in service with an overseas customer.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been awarded by his Department to W. S. Atkins and Partners since 1980.
§ Mr. AitkenSince May 1990, the Department's directorate of works services has invited W. S. Atkins to46W tender 32 times. It was successful on 10 occasions, and received contracts valued at £8,068,300 in total. There have also been a number of smaller contracts for works in connection with specific projects.
Prior to May 1990 the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment was responsible for all works-related contracts.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contacts ministers or officials of his Department have had with International Military Services since 1980.
§ Mr. AitkenInternational Military Services is a company whose shares are vested in the Secretary of State for Defence. Consequently my Department is responsible for monitoring company policy and performance. Contact for this purpose is frequent at official level. Contact at ministerial level is relatively rare.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contacts or dealings ministers or officials of his Department have had with W. S. Atkins and Partners since 1980.
§ Mr. AitkenMy Department does not hold a central record of contacts or dealings with industry, so I am unable to provide the hon. Gentleman with a full reply without incurring disproportionate cost. However, officials in my Department are in continuing discussion with W. S. Atkins in connection with tenders, contracts awarded by the Department—and awarded by PSA on the Department's behalf prior to May 1990—and future opportunities.