Written question asked by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 April 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 16 April 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what clothing contracts let by his Department have been (a) awarded to overseas companies and (b) sub-contracted from UK companies to overseas companies in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Information is available only number of clothing contracts let over the last four financial years. Records prior to this date are not held centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Since April 2003, 40 clothing contracts have been awarded directly to overseas companies at an estimated value of £12.8 million. During the same period 465 clothing contracts have been placed directly with UK companies at an estimated value of £192 million. It is not possible to provide the number of overseas clothing subcontracts placed by UK prime contractors as this information is not held by the MOD. At the time of contract placement, however, these companies indicated that approximately £91.5 million of the work would be undertaken offshore. Records of any subsequent subcontracting arrangements are not held.

Secondary information