HC Deb 09 March 1998 vol 308 cc3-4
2. Mr. Hutton

If he will make a statement on the Government's smart procurement initiatives. [31404]

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. George Robertson)

Smart procurement is a ruthless examination of how value for money from our procurement programme can be improved to ensure faster, cheaper and better delivery of our future requirements.

Mr. Hutton

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and welcome the steps that he and the Government have taken to improve the procurement process, which will result in a better deal for the taxpayer and the defence industry as a whole and for my constituency in particular. Is that not the best way to ensure that we avoid the expensive delays, waste and cost overruns that came to characterise the procurement policy of the Conservative party?

Mr. Robertson

My hon. Friend is right and, coming from Barrow, he knows a little about procurement. I know that he will be feeling a special sense of pride, as will Barrow this week, as HMS Invincible, which was built there, steams home after distinguished duty in the Persian Gulf. On behalf of the taxpayer, we are trying to ensure that the cost and delivery overruns that were the experience of the past are minimised and, hopefully, eliminated.

Sir George Young

The Secretary of State will recall that the Scottish Labour party thought that it would not be smart to continue procuring Trident. Why are he and his hon. Friends so unsuccessful at persuading members of the Labour party in Scotland to adopt pragmatic defence policies? Is that not a case of old Labour fighting back and winning? Does not the clear message from the Scottish Labour party show that defence is not a priority, and does that not seriously undermine the right hon. Gentleman's negotiating position with the Treasury?

Mr. Robertson

No, it does not. The Scottish Labour party conference is entitled to express a view but, since it contradicts the manifesto commitment that we gave at the last election and that we intend to stick to, the decision is merely an expression of opinion. Of course, the Scottish Conservative party got so out of line with the country as a whole that it does not exist any more.