To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money MOD Bicester has paid to (a) Palletways (3PL Contract), (b) Pertemps Employment Agency and (c) City Sprint and other private couriers since the decision to implement the closure of regional distribution centres; and if he will make a statement.

[Official Report, 28 April 2011, Vol. 527, c. 569W.]

Letter of correction from Peter Luff:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Mr Llwyd) on 28 April 2011. I regret that because of an administrative error, some of the figures for payments to private couriers were omitted.

The full answer given was as follows: (52538)

[holding answer 26 April 2011]: The total payments made to Palletways, Pertemps Employment Agency and private couriers (including City Sprint) since late 2007 when the regional distribution centres were closed, are provided in the following table:

As a direct result of the decision to close the regional distribution centres and centralise distribution activities at Bicester and Donnington with greater use of third party logistics contractors, annual net savings of around £4 million have been achieved.

The correct answer should have been:

[holding answer 26 April 2011]: The total payments made to Palletways, Pertemps Employment Agency and private couriers (including City Sprint) since late 2007 when the regional distribution centres were closed, are provided in the following table:

As a direct result of the decision to close the regional distribution centres and centralise distribution activities at Bicester and Donnington with greater use of third party logistics contractors, annual net savings of around £4 million have been achieved.