§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the defence industries on future economic prospects.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence recently chaired a meeting of the National Defence Industries Council at which I was also present, and a number of issues were discussed. In addition, we have frequent informal contacts with the defence industry.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what economies he is making in defence procurement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Department continues to seek value for money in procurement through the increased use of competition and taut contracting. This strategy has achieved substantial savings although these cannot be precisely quantified. Chapter 3 of volume 1 of the 1990 Statement on the Defence Estimates (Cm. 1022-I) gives more information on the ways in which we seek to make our procurement activities more cost effective.