§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards the implementation of the pay-as-you-dine contractorisation of junior mess halls. [123965]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Pay-As-You-Dine Project Team is currently producing an outline business case for consideration by the Project Board at the end of July 2000. If approval to proceed is given, an announcement will be placed in theOfficial Journal of the European Communities informing industry of the Department's intention to commence the PAYD procurement process. Dependent upon industry's response, I anticipate that a full Business Case will be submitted to the Equipment Approvals Committee in mid-2001, leading to Invitations to Negotiate for the provision of the PAYD cashless payment system and catering services. While there remain significant procurement strategy issues to be addressed, contracts should be awarded in mid-2003 with the aim of commencing a pilot phase towards the end of that year. The pilot phase will effectively represent the start of full roll-out, which should be completed by December 2004.
17WOur intention is that a pay-as-you-dine system will be introduced into all Service messes where food charges currently apply, irrespective of rank.