Written question asked by Huw Edwards (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 March 1999. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about progress towards a best supplier agreement between his Department and Royal Ordnance. - (Holding answer 26 February 1999).

Answer: Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress towards a best supplier agreement between his Department and Royal Ordnance. [73648] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 26 February 1999]: Under the Smart Procurement Initiative developed as part of the Strategic Defence Review, MOD is reviewing its relationships with all its suppliers to ensure that the relationship is of mutual benefit to each party. Where appropriate, this includes examining the potential for establishing preferred supplier arrangements. For British Aerospace, and Royal Ordnance in particular, we are looking into the ways by which Royal Ordnance could become the preferred MOD supplier for a number of types of ammunition, where the company has shown through competition, that it can offer a cost effective product.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 73648; 326 c659W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Ammunition Defence Defence equipment Procurement British Aerospace Defence Review Royal Ordnance