§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the procedure for taking account of the interests of government departments other than the Ministry of Defence in a government-wide defence industrial policy is calculated to ensure that the concerns and interests of the Armed Forces are not subordinated to the interests of other government departments. [HL135]
§ Lord BachThe Government's defence industrial policy is driven by the need to provide the Armed Forces with the equipment which they require, on time, and at best value for money for the taxpayer. It also seeks to maximise the benefits to the UK from our defence expenditure. In order to fully understand these factors in any decision we seek the views of a broad range of stakeholders including other government departments. The specific factors involved in each decision are considered on a case by case basis.