§ 2. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact on his Department of the Government's deregulation initiative.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Jonathan Aitken)My Department is playing a full part in the Government's deregulation initiative, putting particular emphasis on streamlining contracts procedures and improving communications with industry.
§ Mr. PrenticeIs not the deregulation initiative not so much about cutting red tape as about cutting costs and imperilling safety and security? Will the Minister assure the House today that there will be no change to the current arrangements for providing fire cover at defence establishments such as Porton Down and Aldermaston?
§ Mr. AitkenThe hon. Gentleman has completely misunderstood the nature of the Government's deregulation initiative. It is not to do with cutting costs, although we have often hoped that the Government-wide initiative will result in less red tape and will therefore remove burdens on industry. In relation to defence, I can assure him that safety remains paramount and that we do not envisage cuts that will imperil the safety of any members of the armed forces.
§ Mr. LuffCan my hon. Friend give any details of what he is doing to streamline the contracts and procedures to which he referred in his first answer?
§ Mr. AitkenWe have a number of initiatives planned. In particular, we will be carrying out a major review which will result in new guidelines for industry being published. The whole point of the changes is to simplify and streamline and make it easier for industry to put forward bids and win contracts from us. We are also offering, in many cases, longer-term contracts which will give greater stability to industry itself.