§ Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what areas of his Department's business the front line first study is examining; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenThe defence costs study is examining all aspects of support to the front line. Individual studies have been established to look in detail at the following areas:
- MOD head office—organisation and function
- HQs/service command and top-level budget structure MOD police
- Research and development
- Procurement Executive—projects and practices
- Procurement Executive—organisation and function
- Market-testing programme and contracting out
- Financial management
- Estate and property
- Repairs/spares/storage/distribution and infrastructure
- Naval infrastructure
- Training
- Recruiting/manning
- Medical
- Non-operational information systems and information technology
- Security
- Defence intelligence
- RAF management structure and manning
- Army management structure and manning
- Navy management structure and manning
- Music
- Animals and vets
- Catering/messes
- Chaplaincy services
- MOD fire services
- Terminal air traffic control services
- Legal services
- Travel and subsistence
- Costs of regulations
- Meteorological Office
- Radiological protection policy, advice and audit
- Forms and publications
750 - Uniforms
The studies are making good progress. Decision taken as a result of them will be announced in due course.