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Ministry of Defence

Answer

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the outcome was of the Assessment Phase undertaken for a long-term public/private partnership or private finance initiative acquisition programme for the future provision of marine services; [197354] (2) what research he has commissioned into the provision of naval navigational aids for (a) military ports and (b) other Ministry of Defence maritime installations in the UK; [197351] (3) what discussions he has had with (a) other Departments and (b) Trinity House on the provision of naval navigational aids by providers other than his Department; [197352] (4) what discussions he has had with (a) public and (b) private sector bodies on the provision of navigational aids for military ports by providers outside the UK; [197353] (5) what plans he has to review the provision of navigational aids at naval installations in UK waters. [197350] Mr. Ingram: The Assessment Phase for the future provision of marine services has not yet concluded. Discussions on the provision of naval navigational aids has centred on the UK companies. Two proposals from UK registered bidders, plus one from the MOD's Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) who, together with Serco Denholm, are responsible for the current services through a Government Owned-Contractor Operated (GOCO) arrangement, are due by the end of the year. It is planned that the design authority for navigational buoys, as well as the supply of related mooring materials, will be transferred to the successful bidder who will have commissioned their own research to determine a solution that offers best value for money. Provision for this forms part of the range of services included in the Invitation to Negotiate. Separate discussions have been held with the General Lighthouse Authorities (Trinity House, Northern Lights and Irish Lights), non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the DfT, to determine whether they could take over the maintenance and upkeep of navigational buoys but it was concluded that such an arrangement offered little benefit to the MOD.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1288W;426 c1292W; 197354;197351;197352;197353;197350

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Defence equipment Finance Equipment Navigation Ports Private finance initiative Procurement Navy Public private partnerships Research Departmental coordination Trinity House

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk