HC Deb 21 January 2004 vol 416 cc1250-1W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 8 December 2003,Official Report, column 277W, how many and what percentage of contracts issued by his Department since August 2002 which involved the use of wood have not complied with the Defence Contract Condition (DEFCON) 691. [148847]

Mr. Caplin

The Ministry of Defence places in excess of 30,000 contracts per annum. MOD commercial staff are advised to include the Defence Contract Condition (DEFCON) 691 in all relevant contracts that may involve the supply or consumption of timber. However, if it is clear that performance of contracts does not involve the supply or consumption of timber, then DEFCON 691 need not be called up. The MOD does not keep central records of the number of contracts, which contain DEFCON 691.