HC Deb 22 March 1984 vol 56 cc569-70W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will explain the terms and conditions, including the salary, under which Mr. P. J. Levene acts as personal adviser.

Mr. Heseltine

Mr. Levene's appointment as my personal adviser is for a period of six months from 9 January 1984. In that capacity Mr. Levene advises me on matters which relate to the efficient management of the Ministry of Defence. He is not, however, employed on any tasks which could give rise to a conflict of interest with his commercial activies. Mr. Levene is not being paid for his services.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Mr. P. J. Levene, his personal adviser, has been asked to divest himself of his business interests in defence.

Mr. Heseltine

No.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, on Mr. P. J. Levene's appointment as his personal adviser, an undertaking was given to resign as vice-chairman of the Defence Manufacturers Association.

Mr. Heseltine

No. Mr. Levene is not advising me on any areas which would produce a conflict of interest with his appointment as vice-chairman of the Defence Manufacturers Association.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the Defence Manufacturers Association, and in particular, its vice-chairman, Mr. P. J. Levene, to discuss defence contracts.

Mr. Heseltine

The Defence Manufacturers Association is a member of the National Defence Industries Council, and is represented by its president. The NDIC meets regularly under my chairmanship to discuss matters of mutual concern relating to the principles and policy for defence procurement, most recently on 23 February 1984.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met representatives of United Scientific Holdings and in particular, its chairman, Mr. P. J. Levene, to discuss defence work.

Mr. Heseltine

I have not met Mr. Levene in his capacity as chairman of United Scientific Holdings or other representatives of the company to discuss defence work since Mr. Levene was appointed as my special adviser.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he, or his Ministers, met Mr. P. J. Levene to discuss his report, "The Future of the Royal Dockyards—Preliminary Report."

Mr. Heseltine

I and my Ministerial colleagues have discussed Mr. Levene's initial ideas about the future of the royal dockyards with him on a number of occasions and will continue to do so as his proposals are studied further.