§ 3. Mr. Syd Rapson (Portsmouth, North)If he will make a statement on his Department's plans for acquisition reform. [45220]
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. George Robertson)As part of the strategic defence review, we have conducted a ruthless examination of our procurement processes in conjunction with industry and independent consultants. Our aim is to ensure faster, cheaper and better delivery of our future requirements.
§ Mr. RapsonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that there are considerable savings to be made by reforming the way in which the Ministry of Defence procures equipment? Will the issue be at the forefront of thinking when the White Paper is produced, along with the policy on disposal, following the Chancellor's pressure to release land that we do not require in order to gain capital receipts?
§ Mr. RobertsonMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. There must be better ways of procuring equipment than those that have been used in the past. I am not willing to tolerate the accusation that the MOD is a ministry of waste, but, all too often, equipment has been delivered late and has been overpriced and of inadequate quality. That must change and that is why I have made it one of the principle priorities of the strategic defence review to explore ways in which we can reverse that record and get better equipment faster.
On the second part of my hon. Friend's question on the disposal of assets, we are interested in retaining assets only so long as they contribute to the defence effort and the proper and effective discharge of our responsibilities in office. We have no interest in hoarding land, assets or equipment that we do not require if their sale can provide a better defence for the nation.