Smart Procurement Initiative

HC Deb 07 December 1999 vol 340 c454W

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Smart Procurement Initiative. [101194]

Mr. Hoon

This initiative, which is at the heart of our efforts to reform the way we procure and support defence equipment, is currently being implemented. The programme to roll out Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) with full industry participation is on course; all the teams will be fully operational by April 2000. The design and implementation of new arrangements to ensure effective relationships between IPTs, their new Equipment Capability Customer in MOD Headquarters and the Front Line Commands is also making excellent progress. We remain on track to achieve savings of £2 billion to which we are committed.