§ 17. Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence procurement contracts were post-costed in 1969 and in each subsequent year.
§ Mr. Norman LamontPost-costing of defence procurement contracts began in 1973. The number of contracts which have been post-costed each year has 775 varied between 39 and 107, and the average is 80. I am arranging for the full figures to be published in the Official Report.
§ Mr. AshtonWhen it comes to social security this Government watch every penny and every candle end, and hire an army of inspectors to do it. When it comes to national security they appear to take a very relaxed attitude and allow padding to go on. They seem to think that everything is way above board provided that it is defence expenditure.
§ Mr. LamontThe post-costing arrangements cover 50 per cent. of the contracts of the Ministry of Defence by value. I am making arrangements for the post-costing arrangements to be increased further so that they cover a much larger proportion by number as well as by value.
Following are the figures:
Year Number of Contracts post-costed 1973 63 1974 39 1975 64 1976 76 1977 96 1978 86 1979 106 1980 84 1981 95 1982 77 1983 107 1984 70