Diplomatic Service (Hansard, 16 February 1993)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the recent decision by the diplomatic service to reduce the number of Rolls-Royce motor cars; and why this decision was taken.

§ Mr. Goodlad
A number of representations have been received since the decision was taken in 1990 to reduce the number of Rolls-Royce cars used in diplomatic posts overseas. The most recent of these approaches have been from my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Mills) and from Mr. Nigel Cornelius, director of UK and Pacific operations Rolls-Royce Motor Company Ltd.
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The decision was taken in the context of tightening financial constraints which made it necessary to make substantial savings in the provision of vehicles for overseas posts.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Rolls-Royce motor cars are currently owned and used by the diplomatic service overseas, and at which embassies, consulates and other units.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The diplomatic service at present owns and uses eight Rolls-Royce motor cars. These are in the following overseas posts.

Bonn

Canberra

Moscow

Paris

Pretoria

Riyadh

Tokyo

and Washington

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Overseas Affairs if he will make a statement of his policy on(a) providing assistance with the promotion of the products of United Kingdom manufacturers through the diplomatic service and (b) the criterion by which value for money in diplomatic service purchasing policy is assessed.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The promotion of Britain's economic interests overseas, including visible and invisible exports, is one of the basic aims of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A variety of services is provided by our overseas posts and the Department of Trade and Industry for exporters of British goods and services.
In accordance with Government guidelines, the purchasing policy of the FCO is based on obtaining value for money through competition. British suppliers are used where they are competitive on quality, price and delivery.