§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 4 February about notification of defence projects, if the National Audit Office was informed before 7 October 1986 of each defence project since 1983 which would have been included in the major project statement to the Public Accounts Committee but for consideration of national security where (a) the project definition exceeded £10 million or (b) the project cost has exceeded £250 million.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonYes.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his practice about advising the Comptroller and Auditor General as to whether details of projects should be given to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee where his Department has informed the National Audit Office of defence projects which would have been included in the major project statement to the Public Accounts Committee but for considerations of national security.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is not for my right hon. Friend to advise the Comptroller and Auditor General, who has complete discretion in the discharge of his functions.
106W
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 4 February, if he is able, without disproportionate effort, to give the number of projects whose expenditure falls within each band of £50 million. from £100 million to £250 million and in respect of which details have not been published on grounds of national security; and if he will name the projects where possible.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo. Details of projects, particularly those at the early stages of development, quite often constitute classified Information and may not therefore be published, although this may change as the project progresses. It is not possible without disproportionate effort to establish the number of projects where details have not been published on grounds of national security.