The Ministry of Defence has agreed to lower the threshold for the advertising of MOD contracts. This will give greater encouragement to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enter MOD business and is designed to further enhance the visibility and transparency of the UK defence equipment market. Currently ‘non-warlike’ requirements...

The Ministry of Defence has agreed to lower the threshold for the advertising of MOD contracts. This will give greater encouragement to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enter MOD business and is designed to further enhance the visibility and transparency of the UK defence equipment market. Currently ‘non-warlike’ requirements...

I am pleased to announce that QinetiQ have been awarded the contract to operate the subsonic target element of the Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) programme worth £364.7 million. This contract marks a significant step forward towards the delivery of the CATS project. In line with Defence Industrial Strategy it...

I am pleased to announce that QinetiQ have been awarded the contract to operate the subsonic target element of the Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) programme worth £364.7 million. This contract marks a significant step forward towards the delivery of the CATS project. In line with Defence Industrial Strategy it...

The Government have accepted the findings of the Review Board for Government Contracts as detailed in their report of the 2006 annual review of the profit formula for non-competitive Government contracts. I will be placing a copy of the report in the Library of the House. The recommendations will be...

The Government have accepted the findings of the Review Board for Government Contracts as detailed in their report of the 2006 annual review of the profit formula for non-competitive Government contracts. I will be placing a copy of the report in the Library of the House. The recommendations will be...

I am pleased to announce that, following a competition, QinetiQ has been selected as the preferred bidder to supply and operate the subsonic target element of the combined aerial target service (CATS) programme. Contract award is expected to take place after a period of final negotiations. This decision marks a...

I am pleased to announce that, following a competition, QinetiQ has been selected as the preferred bidder to supply and operate the subsonic target element of the combined aerial target service (CATS) programme. Contract award is expected to take place after a period of final negotiations. This decision marks a...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of defence contracts were awarded to BAE Systems in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; what the value was in each case; and how many were won through competitive tenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of defence contracts were awarded to BAE Systems in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; what the value was in each case; and how many were won through competitive tenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of work being carried out at the former Chorley Royal Ordnance site for his Department's contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of work being carried out at the former Chorley Royal Ordnance site for his Department's contracts.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence procurement.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence procurement.

I am sorry for interrupting, but I went through that entire process. I put the rifle under intensive test by soldiers and I have a vivid memory of a Royal Marine sergeant saying that it was the best rifle he had ever handled, and a paratrooper sergeant saying the same....

I am sorry for interrupting, but I went through that entire process. I put the rifle under intensive test by soldiers and I have a vivid memory of a Royal Marine sergeant saying that it was the best rifle he had ever handled, and a paratrooper sergeant saying the same....

As Minister for the armed forces I have the privilege of working with and meeting our servicemen and women on a day-to-day basis and know that they are the finest in the world. The nation is fortunate to have them. In an uncertain and difficult environment, they stand ready to...

As Minister for the armed forces I have the privilege of working with and meeting our servicemen and women on a day-to-day basis and know that they are the finest in the world. The nation is fortunate to have them. In an uncertain and difficult environment, they stand ready to...

Very much so, Mr. Deputy Speaker. But we have to have set our procurement strategy against the environment and theatres in which our people operate. I was setting the scene, but I shall come on to the specific issue.

Very much so, Mr. Deputy Speaker. But we have to have set our procurement strategy against the environment and theatres in which our people operate. I was setting the scene, but I shall come on to the specific issue.

We would need to look at the particular question. We constantly answer a range of questions. If I remember correctly, we said that some of the issues are held in commercial confidence, for very good reasons—we could enter the next phase of negotiations for tranche 3. I do not know...

We would need to look at the particular question. We constantly answer a range of questions. If I remember correctly, we said that some of the issues are held in commercial confidence, for very good reasons—we could enter the next phase of negotiations for tranche 3. I do not know...

I want to make some progress. I have hardly started to talk about procurement yet and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman has some points to make about that. I have not yet mentioned any particular procurement streams, but if he is intervening on the general context in which...

I want to make some progress. I have hardly started to talk about procurement yet and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman has some points to make about that. I have not yet mentioned any particular procurement streams, but if he is intervening on the general context in which...

I accept all that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I was of course coming to the conclusion of the context in which our people operate and I then intended to talk about the need to ensure that we have battle-winning equipment to ensure their success. I was explaining that the environment into...

I accept all that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I was of course coming to the conclusion of the context in which our people operate and I then intended to talk about the need to ensure that we have battle-winning equipment to ensure their success. I was explaining that the environment into...

Of course I will, Mr. Deputy Speaker. At all times I try to keep within the rules of the House. The hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) is wholly wrong, however. The figures have been made available; indeed, I understand that parliamentary questions have been answered today. I...

Of course I will, Mr. Deputy Speaker. At all times I try to keep within the rules of the House. The hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) is wholly wrong, however. The figures have been made available; indeed, I understand that parliamentary questions have been answered today. I...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

I just want to get the record straight. We recognise the issues on procurement, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to comment on the fact that in 1997, when the Conservative party left office, the NAO found that the Conservative Government’s top 25 defence procurement projects were likely to...

I just want to get the record straight. We recognise the issues on procurement, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to comment on the fact that in 1997, when the Conservative party left office, the NAO found that the Conservative Government’s top 25 defence procurement projects were likely to...

Two billion dollars.

Two billion dollars.

In my opening statement, I said that 100 British personnel in Iraq had now lost their lives, 77 as a direct result of hostile action. To be more accurate, the position is that 77 have been killed in action, including as a direct result of hostile action. I am grateful...

In my opening statement, I said that 100 British personnel in Iraq had now lost their lives, 77 as a direct result of hostile action. To be more accurate, the position is that 77 have been killed in action, including as a direct result of hostile action. I am grateful...

I hear that described as plan B. As I have said before, we do not plan for failure. We plan for success and put all our efforts into achieving it. What we are planning is the best aircraft of its type, for various technical reasons. The question of marinising Typhoon...

I hear that described as plan B. As I have said before, we do not plan for failure. We plan for success and put all our efforts into achieving it. What we are planning is the best aircraft of its type, for various technical reasons. The question of marinising Typhoon...

I thought I had answered the question, but let me try again. We are confident that we will succeed in what we have set out to achieve. That must be the main thrust of our argument and we must impress it upon our US allies. We are the main contributor...

I thought I had answered the question, but let me try again. We are confident that we will succeed in what we have set out to achieve. That must be the main thrust of our argument and we must impress it upon our US allies. We are the main contributor...