§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list initiatives by his Department which have been of benefit specifically to the north-east, north-west and Yorkshire and Humberside regions since 1979.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Holt) on 4 November 1986 at column 795, we are constantly searching for opportunities to secure a more even spread of defence employment across the regions. However, all proposals will need to stand on their economic and operational merits.
It is our policy to place equipment orders, wherever practicable, by competitive tendering and this policy has brought significant benefit to the defence budget and to the taxpayer. There are, however, occasions when we place work in response to wider and relevant factors.
By way of example, I refer my hon. Friend to our decision on 28 January 1985, at column 21, to order a type 22 frigate from Cammell Laird and a type 23 frigate from Swan Hunter on 15 July 1986 at column 853.
Both orders are of assistance to the areas concerned.