HC Deb 26 October 1999 vol 336 cc769-70W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the £594m of new efficiency improvements achieved in 1998–99, indicating where the savings were made; and if he will make a statement. [95551]

Mr. Spellar

I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent on 27 July by the then Secretary of State, Lord Robertson, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. That letter provides a breakdown of the £594 million of new efficiency improvements in 1998–99, £89 million more than the target of £505 million.

Both service and civilian personnel made this achievement across all parts of my Department by seeking out genuine efficiencies. The extra efficiency gains have been retained by the defence budget and have contributed to funding other defence priorities. This further demonstrates the MOD's commitment to improving our capability and performance.