§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his procurement policy in respect of equipment which has been developed as a result of Government research investment. [29861]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAs described in pages 68–71 of the current "Statement on the Defence Estimates", my Department's procurement policy on research investment is to obtain best value for money, encourage technological innovation and reduce equipment procurement risk. The extent of Government research investment in a particular piece of equipment is one of the many factors taken into consideration when procurement decisions are made, as are the potential benefits of defence research spin-off to the private sector.