§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which right hon. and hon. Members his special adviser, Mr. Crispin Blunt, has written to inform them of the placing of contracts by his Department in their constituency; what are the values of these contracts; which contracts were involved; what assistance the civil service provides in order to ensure the efficiency of this system of informing hon. Members; when this system was first introduced; and if he will make a statement. [22298]
§ Mr. RifkindIn October 1993, my special adviser began writing to right hon. and hon. Members of all parties about MOD contracts awarded to firms in their constituencies which, while of local significance, were too small to merit individual announcements.
Since 1993, the practice has become more systematic, and standard letters are now sent about all contracts worth more than £1 million notified to the special adviser by the responsible contracts branch.
Since October 1993, more than 300 letters have been sent to right hon. and hon. Members.