What recent representations have been made to the UK Government on behalf of shipyards on the Clyde in respect of awarding the contract for…

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on behalf of Scottish shipbuilding and other manufacturing sectors. Most recently, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support wrote to relevant Scottish ministers on 16 October 2009 with an update on the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Programme.
In March 2009, defence ministers decided to cancel the earlier contracting process for MARS vehicles. The procurement strategy was reviewed and a new, more open, procurement strategy has been put in place which will take into account commercial and market conditions. This new process intends to secure best value of money for the Ministry of Defence. Expressions of interest are being sought through advertisements in the Open Journal of the European Union and the Defence Contracts Bulletin, with a closing date of 27 November 2009.
In accordance with EU commercial policy, and as an open procurement programme, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to be seen to influence this process. However, Scottish shipyards have had significant success in recent years in winning major procurement contracts and the Scottish Government will continue to work with industry and agencies to give Scotland the best advantage. On 28 October 2009, the Scottish Aerospace, Defence and Marine (ADM) Industry Strategy 2009 was launched by the First Minister, on behalf of Scottish Enterprise and in conjunction with the ADM sector and the Scottish Government, to further this aim.