HC Deb 04 March 1999 vol 326 cc872-3W
Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place to enable the Defence Council to exercise collective ownership of the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review. [74656]

Mr. George Robertson

Implementation of the Strategic Defence Review is discussed regularly at meetings of the Defence Council.

Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key milestones and timetables for deliverance of the Strategic Defence Review implementation. [74646]

Mr. George Robertson

Key targets for the Department and a timetable for achieving them, reflecting the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review, were set out in the Ministry of Defence's Public Service Agreement, published in December.

A number of key milestones in the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review have already been achieved, including: decisions on the command structure, location and timetable for the establishment of a Joint Helicopter Command involving battlefield helicopters of all three Services, and a Joint RN/RAF Harrier force (Joint Force 2000); detailed decisions on the restructuring of the TA; the establishment of a Veterans Advice Unit and an inter-Departmental Services Families Task Force; plans for the reorganisation and enhancement of the Defence Medical Services; and the trialling of the principles of Smart Procurement through pilot Integrated Project Teams in the Procurement Executive and the logistics area.

Over the coming weeks, I anticipate being able to announce further significant achievements in the implementation of SDR measures.

Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what practical measures he plans to take to ensure that the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review is an open and transparent process. [74658]

Mr. George Robertson

We have sought to ensure that the openness which characterised the conduct of the Strategic Defence Review continues in its implementation. We have consulted widely within the Department, with the Trades Unions and with affected local authorities on implementation of individual aspects, and will continue to do so. Where appropriate (for example, in taking forward the Smart Procurement initiative) we have involved defence industry. We consulted widely on the detailed implementation of TA restructuring and on the restructuring and enhancement of the Defence Medical Service before taking decisions. I held a seminar at RUSI on 22 October 1998 to discuss the Review with journalists, academics and other interested parties. We have kept Parliament informed as implementation of individual aspects progresses and will report further in the Defence White Paper later in the year.