§ Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce a decision on the way ahead for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency public private partnership proposals. [96089]
§ Mr. HoonFollowing the announcement on 6 July that further discussions with stakeholders were continuing, we have held consultations with interested parties, including UK industry, our international partners, DERA staff and trade unions. In response to the feedback we have received, and a number of views expressed, we have decided to widen the scope of these discussions to address the issues raised in the consultation process. We will now undertake further work on these issues. This process will continue into the New Year.
We continue to work positively for a PPP result which will strengthen DERA's ability to continue to provide world class scientific research and enable it to be a flexible and responsive organisation which can attract investment and develop new business, while at the same time preserving our essential defence interests and maintaining our valuable collaborative relationships.