§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the plans of the Sea Technology Group and their impact in relation to the funding, operation and staffing levels of QinetiQ. [88697]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Sea Technology Group is part of the Defence Procurement Agency which is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence.
The Group is responsible for providing technical standards, advice and safety regulation for maritime platforms and places a wide a range of contracts with the commercial sector, including QinetiQ, and with other Government agencies to fulfil this role.
There are no plans to change the role of the Sea Technology Group or its relationships with existing suppliers. Contracts are placed with QinetiQ and other suppliers on the basis of the capabilities they offer and the support requirements of the MOD. We maintain a dialogue with QinetiQ and other suppliers about our forward plans but it is a matter for the company to determine the appropriate funding, operation and staffing levels based on the work it wins or expects to win from the MOD and others.
§ Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent funding decisions by(a) his Department and (b) the Sea Technology Group which affecting QinetiQ. [88698]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence continues to determine its requirements as a customer for support from industry, including QinetiQ, in the normal way.
In common with other defence suppliers, it is a matter for QinetiQ to determine the appropriate staffing and resource levels it needs to meet any requirements placed upon it by MOD.
I refer my hon. Friend to the additional information I have provided today in answer to her question on the relationship between the Sea Technology Group of the Defence Procurement Agency and QinetiQ.