THE principle of getting the best value when public money is being spent is obviously a good one.

Taxpayers expect government contracts to be given to the supplier who meets deadlines and does the best quality work at the most economic prices.

And when these criteria are met preference should also be given to ensuring work goes to British companies.

With all this in mind the decision by the Ministry of Defence to award their largest-ever uniforms contract to a Northern Irish company who will sub-contract the work to China is puzzling.

The successful firm apparently specialises in bridal and children's wear and has no track record of supplying military clothing.

Loss of the contract is a tremendous blow to the future of East Lancashire firm Cookson and Clegg.

Now the company is seeking damages from the government to save its future operations in Blackburn.

Cookson and Clegg's 60 year history of such work is no reason on its own for them to continue getting it.

But the court action should force the government to offer a coherent explanation of why such uniforms are to be made in China. That has been noticeably lacking so far.