§ 13. Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Government's defence procurement policies. [127269]
§ Mr. HoonThe Government's procurement policy is based on delivering value for money through competition and prime contracting. Our Smart Procurement reforms focus on improving procurement effectiveness by introducing commercial best practice and working more closely with all our suppliers, at both project and policy level.
The benefits of smart procurement are beginning to work through, and I am confident that this forward-looking approach will lack the legacy of cost overruns and slippage that have bedevilled equipment procurement in the past.
§ 23. Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he has had with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to discuss defence procurement; and if he will make a statement. [127279]
§ Mr. HoonI have had frequent meetings with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury where we have discussed a wide range of issues, including defence procurement.