§ 22. Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is given by his Department to export potential in determining product specification during the procurement process. [6362]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe consideration of export potential is an explicit requirement of my Department's project approval procedures. We also invite industry to offer adjustments to proposed equipment requirements in order to enhance export prospects, and will accept these where this can be done without unduly compromising MOD requirements or reducing overall value for money.
§ 24. Mr. PurchaseTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his Department's budget is due to procurement cost overruns and financial waste. [6364]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy Department has made substantial progress in improving value for money in the delivery of defence capability. Efficiency improvements worth more than £3 billion have been achieved since 1988. The latest description of this, including information illustrating MOD's performance in project control, is contained in the MOD performance report 1994–95, published on 19 December.