HC Deb 21 January 2003 vol 398 cc210-1W
Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Inframan Ltd. and its continuing role at RAF Leuchars. [88598]

Mr. Ingram

Inframan Ltd. was placed into Administration on 12 December 2002. Grant Thornton were appointed as administrators of Inframan by the High Court of Justice.

With effect from 19 December 2002 Grant Thornton concluded a transaction with Steill Ltd., a subsidiary of Alfred McAlpine plc, for acquisition of the assets of Inframan Ltd.

It is intended that the existing contracts between Inframan Ltd. and the Ministry of Defence will shortly be transferred to the new owners.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is owed to sub-contractors in respect of work completed at RAF Leuchars. [88599]

Mr. Ingram

The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information requested.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the main contractor at RAF Leuchars changed in 2002. [88600]

Mr. Ingram

Hyder Infrastructure Management Ltd. were appointed the main contractor at RAF Leuchars in April 2001 following a competitive tender process to support Commander Royal Engineers (Airfield Section) re-role. Hyder Infrastructure Management Ltd. changed their trading name briefly to Inframan Ltd. by Special Resolution as provided by Section 28(1) of the Companies Act 1985. As a consequence the contract was amended to reflect the contractor's new name and the change referred to was in name only.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are in place for(a) reimbursing sub-contractors who are due monies from Inframan Ltd. and (b) allowing them to reclaim assets from RAF Leuchars for which they have not been paid. [88639]

Mr. Ingram

Sub-contractors who are owed money by Inframan Ltd. should present their claim to the administrators, Grant Thornton, who were appointed administrators of Inframan Ltd. on 12 December 2002.

Sub-contractors who wish to make a reservation of title claim in respect of stock supplied to Inframan Ltd. should equally present their claim to Grant Thornton.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums have been paid to Inframan Ltd. in each month since their appointment as contractor to RAF Leuchars. [88640]

Mr. Ingram

The information requested is withheld in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as it is Commercial in Confidence.

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