To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 27 June 2006, Official Report, column 5WS, on defence food supply contracts, for what reasons Purple Foodservice Solutions was selected as the provider of food services; what process was followed to select the provider; and which other companies applied to be considered. (82075)

Purple Foodservice Solutions presented the lowest risk and most technically compliant bid which, overall, offered the best value for money. The contract was run under Public Procurement Regulations, which take full account of UK and EU procurement legislation. The other companies that submitted bids were 3663, First for Foodservice, and Brakes Foodservice Solutions.