§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out his policy on defence procurement. [140100]
§ Mr. IngramOur Acquisition Policy is set out in the Ministry of Defence Policy Paper No 4—Defence Acquisition. The Policy is driven by the need to secure and sustain the defence capabilities at the best value for money and at a price we can afford. Competition remains the principal means of achieving value for money, although we will consider alternative strategies, such as partnering, where they are more appropriate.
Our Defence Industrial Policy, published in October 2002, sets out in more detail our approach to considering industrial issues in our Acquisition system.
MOD Policy Paper No 4—Defence Acquisition is available in the House of Commons Library and via the website: http://www.mod.uk/issues/acquisition/index. htm
Defence Industrial Policy Paper No 5: http://www.mod.uk/issues/industrial—policy.htm