§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanisms he assesses the impact on the United Kingdom defence industrial base of his Department's procurement decisions. [32656]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy Department's practice on the consideration of United Kingdom defence industrial base issues in procurement decisions was set out in written and oral evidence to the Select Committee on Defence and Trade and Industry in joint session during 1995. The minutes of evidence were published as daily parts on 9 August 1995 (HC 333-iv) and the Committee's final report was published on 5 December 1995 (HC 61 and 62).
In its response to the Committee's report, published on 8 February 1996 (HC 209 and 210), the Government noted that industrial factors had always been taken into account in equipment procurement decision making processes. However, following a review of its internal procedures, my Department will in future take a more systematic account of such factors. Guidance is currently being prepared to this end.
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