HC Deb 28 January 1993 vol 217 cc852-4W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has made of the possible cost of making each proof and experimental establishment site environmentally safe and suitable for alternative use.

Mr. Aitken

This matter is being addressed by the director general of test and evaluation in his overall review of test and evaluation facilities within the Ministry of Defence.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contractors involved at each of the proof and experimental establishments (land); and what was the volume and value of their work in 1991–92 and in the current financial year.

Mr. Aitken

The site contracts at the proof and experimental establishments at Cold Meece, Eskmeals and Shoeburyness (including Lavington) are currently with SERCO; the contract for the environmental test centre at Foulness is with Assessment Services Ltd; and that for the proof and experimental establishment at Pendine is with Airworks Ltd. The volumes of work and their value are a matter of commercial confidentiality between the Department and the relevant contractors.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide economic comparisons of the cost effectiveness of each of the proof and experimental establishments (land) including the financial turnover per year, the number of employees, details of profit and loss-making facilities and any other direct quality and efficiency comparisons; and if he will make the information available for public scrutiny.

Mr. Aitken

The cost-effectiveness of all Ministry of Defence test and evaluation facilities is an important part of the overall review that is being undertaken by the director general of test and evaluation; the results of this will not be known until May. Any proposals that emanate from this review which have an impact on the size or location of the civilian work force will be subject to consultation with the trades union and other interested parties. Any consultation document will contain relevant financial information.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the Government's proposals for market testing the work now being carried out by the proof and experimental establishments (land).

Mr. Aitken

In line with Government policy, the Ministry of Defence is committed to a substantial rolling programme of market testing to demonstrate that it provides good quality services that represent value for money to the taxpayer. As part of this exercise, the directorate general of Test and evaluation is required to market test activity amounting to £45 million. Plans for doing this will be finalised after decisions on the rationalisation of facilities have been completed.