§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the name and addresses of the independent advisers appointed by him, or by the relevant agency, in the procurement of(a) the department of experimentation and research into Aviation Farnborough's most current super-computer, (b) the Meteorological Office Bracknell's current super-computer and (c) the atomic weapons establishment Aldermaston's recent super-computer. [12157]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe competition for a super-computer for the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston is being run by the AWE operating contractor. It is being assisted in the competition by an independent consultancy company, details of which are commercially confidential.
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Meteorological Office are executive agencies and matters of this nature fall to their chief executives. I have asked the chief executives of both agencies to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Michael Stern, dated 26 January 1996:
I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the appointment of independent advisors on procuring supercomputers. I am responsible for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which through its Defence Research Agency (DRA) division has recently procured a supercomputer at Farnborough, Hampshire.The procurement of a massively parallel supercomputer by DERA acting on behalf of the members of the Farnborough Supercompter Centre (FSC) followed from a feasibility study carried out by Smith System Engineering Limited, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GU12 5YP.The FSC, which was opened in January 1995, is a Dual-Use Technology Centre (DUTC) with members from leading defence manufacturers together with DERA.I hope this information is helpful.Letter from Julian Hunt to Mr. Michael Stern; dated 25 January 1996:
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the procurement of the Meteorological Office's current supercomputers this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office.The Meteorological Office's current supercomputer has been procured in accordance with normal Ministry of Defence practice. The procurement was agreed with the Department's DGICS organisation, in the course of which advice was taken from appropriate independent sources.The identity of the provider of the relevant advice must remain commercially confidential.