§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procurement process relating to decisions about the procurement of a nuclear weapons system; and at what stage such decisions are considered by (a) the equipment policy committee and (b) the financial planning and management group of his Department.
§ Mr. ButlerThe procurement process for nuclear weapons systems is essentially the same as that for conventional systems and was most recently described in a memorandum published with the second report of the Defence Committee, Session 1981–82, volume II. Cmnd. 9315 explains the changes to the procedures which are to be made from 2 January 1985 as part of the reorganisation of the Ministry of Defence.