§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quotations have been obtained from overseas suppliers for the supply of ammunition products previously supplied by Royal Ordnance Bishopton. [78185]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: None. The MOD procures ammunition as a finished product, not as individual components. It is a matter for the prime contractor to choose the source of each of the components, such as casing, explosives, fuses and propellant. British Aerospace has announced that it intends to close Royal Ordnance Bishopton by late 2000. We expect the factory to continue to participate in work on Ministry of Defence contracts awarded to Royal Ordnance and other prime contractors until that date.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas countries from which the United Kingdom currently obtains ammunition products; and if he will list the value of each contract. [78187]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: The Ministry of Defence currently procures ammunition products from the USA, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Belgium, Israel, Canada and South Africa. The costs associated with individual contracts are commercially sensitive and I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the memorandums of understanding that exist between the United Kingdom and overseas ammunition suppliers. [78188]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: Her Majesty's Government normally conclude Memorandums of Understanding only with other national Governments. There are no MOU with overseas ammunition suppliers.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had with overseas ammunition suppliers in the past year; and if he will list the companies that have been consulted. [78182]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: I have not had any discussions about the supply of ammunition with any overseas companies in the past year. However, Ministry of Defence officials have regular contacts on a wide range of issues with defence companies at all levels. These include obtaining 486W information on product ranges and capabilities, the discussion of tenders, and the management and performance of contracts. Details of such contacts in the past year are not held centrally. However, a search of available records indicates that contacts took place with the following ammunition suppliers: Aerojet, Alliant Tech Systems, Armtec, Atlantic Research Corporation, Boeing, Day and Zimmerman, Lockheed Martin, Olin Winchester, Primex, Raytheon, and Team MACS of the USA; Aerospatiale, Celerg, CTA International, and GIAT of France; Alenia, Europea Metalli, Fiat Avio, and Simmel of Italy; Buck Technologies, Diehl, Dynamit Nobel, EBV, GIWS, Junghans, LFK, Mauser, MEN, and Rheinmetall of Germany; MECAR of Belgium; Hirtenberg of Austria; Miltec, Oerlikon, and Swiss Munitions of Switzerland; Eurometaal of The Netherlands, Lapua of Finland, Bofors of Sweden; NAMMO, and Raufoss of Norway; Expal, International Technology of Intallaza of Spain; INDEP of Portugal; Bristol Aerospace, and SNC of Canada; PINDAD of Malaysia; CIS of Singapore; Denel/ Somchem, Denel/Swarklip, Denel/Naschem, Pretoria Metal Pressing and Vector of South Africa; IMI, and Rafael of Israel; ADI of Australia; and Micron of India.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment his Department has made of its overseas-based ammunition suppliers with respect to(a) security of supply, (b) exchange rate risk and (c) ability to supply ammunition promptly; [78191]
(2) what assessments have been made of the security of supply provided by each of the United Kingdom's overseas ammunition suppliers; and if he will make a statement. [78186]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: The Ministry of Defence considers carefully the issue of security of supply before placing equipment contracts with overseas suppliers. Where necessary, we seek suitable safeguards to ensure satisfactory security of supply.
Contracts contain specific conditions designed to ensure prompt delivery of defence equipment and ammunition products. In order to eliminate exchange rate risks, we aim to place all overseas orders in Sterling. Where this is not possible, we use a variety of measures, including the advance purchase of Deutschmarks and US dollars, to minimise the risk of adverse movements in these currencies.