Military Support Vehicle (Hansard, 24 May 2002)

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future military support vehicle contract. [58159]

§ Mr. Ingram
Bids for the future military vehicle contract are expected from industry by the 25 June 2002.
611W

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies were invited to tender for the military support vehicle contract plan to manufacture the vehicle in the United Kingdom. [58161]

§ Mr. Ingram
We expect to receive bids by the 25 June 2002. We are therefore not aware of the companies manufacturing plans at this stage.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies have been asked to tender for the military support vehicle contract. [58160]

§ Mr. Ingram
Five companies have been invited to tender for the military support vehicle contract.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the employment opportunities in the United Kingdom created by the contract for military support vehicles. [58162]

§ Mr. Ingram
No assessment has yet been made of the employment opportunities in the United Kingdom created by the contract for Military Support Vehicles. Companies tendering for the contract have been asked to include proposals for UK Industrial Participation in their bids. The bids are expected by the 25 June 2002.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial checks will be made on each of the companies bidding for the contract for military support vehicles by his Department before a decision is taken. [58163]

§ Mr. Ingram
Following expressions of interest in this procurement prior to the issue of invitations to tender, a financial check of each potential bidder was undertaken. A further assessment will be made upon receipt of bids.