HC Deb 29 April 1994 vol 242 cc394-5W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the defence costs study; when the defence costs study started; and when it is expected to be completed.

Mr. Hanley

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 7 December 1993 at column176. The defence costs study was formally launched on 1 December 1993. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement about its outcome before the summer recess.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 April,Official Report, column 348, which of the reports from the defence costs study he has received are final reports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Ministers have now seen final reports from 31 of the 33 individual defence costs studies.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 March,Official Report, column 337, which of the defence costs study team are producing reports which will be relevant to decisions relating to spares; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

One of the defence costs study teams was specifically concerned with the examination of repair, spares, storage and distribution within the MOD services. A number of other defence costs study teams scrutinised areas of support activity in which the storage, handling and use of spares play a part.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all of the non-MOD organisations and individuals that have been consulted in the course of the defence costs study; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Defence costs study teams were encouraged to consult widely, but a record of all the organisations and individuals consulted is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-civil service participants in the defence costs study; and under what scale of remuneration the non-civil service participants in the defence costs study are being paid.

Mr. Hanley

Non-civil service participants in the defence costs study have included Ministers, service personnel and a number of consultants and advisers from outside MOD. External participation has taken a variety of forms. The following individuals have participated as external members of study teams:

  • Sir R. Barratt
  • Mr. R. Benton
  • Sir J. Blelloch
  • Lieutenant General (Rtd.) Sir D. Boorman
  • Mr. C. Brendish
  • Mr. M. Dow
  • Mr. D. Dugdale
  • Professor M. Earl
  • Mr. F. Everard
  • Mr. B. Greedy
  • Mr. N. Hale
  • Mr. D. Hart
  • Mr. B. King
  • Mr. C. Littmoden
  • Mr. A. Mallin
  • Mr. I. McNeil
  • Mr. J. Montgomery
  • Mr. I. Robertson
  • Professor I. Shanks
  • Mr. K. Simpson
  • Major General (Rtd.) G. Sinclair

A team from Price Waterhouse, which was already providing consultancy advice in a related area, also participated in one of the studies.

Not all those listed are receiving payment for their services. Remuneration arrangements for individuals acting as external advisers or consultants are matters of confidence between the Department and the persons concerned.