§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation he has had to ensure the requirements of Def Stan 00–55 do not conflict with the impending international standard.
§ Mr. SainsburyMy officials have been, and will continue to be, in consultation with the United Kingdom's representatives on the International Electrotechnical Commission's working group which is developing the international standard for software for computers in the application of industrial safety-related systems. The consultation is aimed at maximising the commonality between this standard and Def Stan 00–55.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why his Department is developing its own standard of safety-related software independent of moves to introduce an international standard for civilian industry.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is Ministry of Defency policy to use existing international standards, where applicable, in684W preference to European, national and defence standards. However, the lack of an adequate existing standard for safety-related software in defence equipment meant that it was essential for us to commence development of Def Stan 00–55. We are, though, taking account of the work, begun subsequently, of the International Electrotechnical Commission on an international standard for safety-related software for civilian industry.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his intention that industry shall be bound by both(a) the impending standard on safety-related software coming from the International Electrotechnical Commission and (b) defence standard 00–55.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe draft defence standard 00–55 covering the use of software in safety critical applications in defence equipment has yet to be issued for consultation. The extent to which that standard, and other related standards, will be applied in defence contracts will be resolved as part of the consultation process.