§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to rectify faulty estimates procedure as described by the Report of the Public Accounts Committee, H.C. 251, especially regarding missile development.
§ Mr. AmeryAs my predecessor told the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 9th March, 1962 (OFFICIAL REPORT, Col. 100–1(W)), my Department has thoroughly overhauled its procedure for preparing estimates of the development cost of new projects. Our current practice accords with the recommendations of the Committee on the Management and Control of Research and Development. In particular it provides for a reassessment of progress, plans and estimates at a number of check points before a project is allowed to proceed into the next stage. I must, however, remind the House that uncertainties are inherent in early estimates of development costs, particularly of any missile or other advanced and complex weapon system which may take many years to complete.