SGL Defence Ltd. (Hansard, 3 April 1990)

§ 4. Mr. Douglas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department has available in relation to SGL Defence Ltd.; what is the number of meetings which he has had with representatives of this company; and what were the topics discussed.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
I understand that SGL Defence Ltd. is a recently formed public relations company which intends to specialise in defence. Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have had meetings with anyone representing the company.

§ Mr. Douglas
I am grateful for that reply, but is the Minister aware that the Chairman of the Select Committee on Defence is a consultant to that company? Although he may not be transgressing any of the House's arrangements, may I take it that every time the Select Committee has met since January, the Chairman has declared an interest in SGL Defence Ltd. to Front-Bench spokesmen and to the Department? If not, how should I take the letter sent to me today by the Minister in which he says that the public interest is being well served? If Ministers have not been aware of this association, how is the public interest being protected? Are Ministers being circumspect in the evidence that they give to the Select Committee and in the information that they give to the individual concerned?

§ Mr. Clark
It is not for me to pass judgment on the conduct of the Chairman of the Committee or on the extent to which he is revealing or inadvertently concealing any interest. That is purely a matter for the House of Commons. All that I can tell the hon. Gentleman and the House is that at no time in any of the meetings that I and my right hon. Friend have had with the Chairman of the Committee has he lobbied or proselytised for anyone.

§ Mr. Campbell-Savours
Is the Minister aware that the brochure for SGL Defence Ltd. says: Our experience will greatly improve a company's capacity to influence operational requirements to win contracts in the face of national and international competition"? As it is wrong for a company that can make that statement to hire a Member of Parliament as a consultant, why does not the Minister condemn it now from the Dispatch Box?

§ Mr. Clark
Such companies tend to overrate their ability to persuade Ministers. Decisions on defence procurement matters are taken primarily on the basis of value for money. I am always prepared to listen to hon. Members about their constituency interests, but I would not pay the slightest attention to an hon. Member, however distinguished and however distinguished his position in the House, in any other context.

§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As these questions are House of Commons matters, is not it a matter for the Select Committee on Members' Interests, of which I am Chairman?

§ Mr. Speaker
Absolutely so. I hope that when attacks of this nature are made on hon. Members, they are given notice.

§ Mr. Douglas
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Speaker
What is the point of order?

§ Mr. Douglas
With great respect, you, Mr. Speaker, above all others are well aware that I have pursued this matter through letters to you, to the Select Committee on Members' Interests and to the Committee of Selection. I gave notice to the hon. Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates). The reason why he is not here is that he is spending £15,000 of public money on a trip abroad.