(2) what proportion of research and development expenditure in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was (a) related to major procurement programmes and (b) concerned with evaluating future procurement options.

(2) what proportion of research and development expenditure in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was (a) related to major procurement programmes and (b) concerned with evaluating future procurement options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proportion of research and development expenditure in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was spent on (a) technology development, (b) operational research and (c) evaluating procurement options;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proportion of research and development expenditure in 2009-10 and 2010-11 was spent on (a) technology development, (b) operational research and (c) evaluating procurement options;

Has the Leader of the House been given notice by the Secretary of State for Defence of the appointment of the commercial management company Serco to run Defence Business Services within the Ministry of Defence? The House and the staff believe that this is still subject to a consultation, yet...

Has the Leader of the House been given notice by the Secretary of State for Defence of the appointment of the commercial management company Serco to run Defence Business Services within the Ministry of Defence? The House and the staff believe that this is still subject to a consultation, yet...

The answer to the first half of the hon. Gentleman's question is no. However, I will make some inquiries of the Secretary of State for Defence seeking confirmation that the contract has not been let if, as the hon. Gentleman says, it is still subject to consultation, and I will...

The answer to the first half of the hon. Gentleman's question is no. However, I will make some inquiries of the Secretary of State for Defence seeking confirmation that the contract has not been let if, as the hon. Gentleman says, it is still subject to consultation, and I will...

Along with the Deputy Prime Minister, and the other members of the National Security Council, I am pleased to provide the House with the following update on implementation of the 2010 strategic defence and security review. This review was undertaken at a time of immense challenge for UK defence and...

Along with the Deputy Prime Minister, and the other members of the National Security Council, I am pleased to provide the House with the following update on implementation of the 2010 strategic defence and security review. This review was undertaken at a time of immense challenge for UK defence and...

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has made the following Statement. Along with the Deputy Prime Minister, and the other members of the National Security Council, I am pleased to provide the House with the following update on the implementation of the 2010 strategic defence and security review. This...

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has made the following Statement. Along with the Deputy Prime Minister, and the other members of the National Security Council, I am pleased to provide the House with the following update on the implementation of the 2010 strategic defence and security review. This...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to reduce the impact of Ministry of Defence changes in capability requirements and programme delays as a result of budgetary factors and procurement processes, as defined in the National Audit Office Major Projects Report 2009.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to reduce the impact of Ministry of Defence changes in capability requirements and programme delays as a result of budgetary factors and procurement processes, as defined in the National Audit Office Major Projects Report 2009.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on Ministry of Defence procurement contracts.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on Ministry of Defence procurement contracts.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson) on securing this debate and I want to pick up the point about contracts and transparency in Government expenditure. The strategic defence and security review will lead to the renegotiation of many contracts, and that may lead to some...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson) on securing this debate and I want to pick up the point about contracts and transparency in Government expenditure. The strategic defence and security review will lead to the renegotiation of many contracts, and that may lead to some...

I accept everything that my hon. Friend says. It is vital to bring more professionalism into procurement. I do not want this debate to be only about kicking the MOD. I suspect that procurement systems across Government are absolute rubbish, and today's debate highlights a deeply flawed system that we...

I accept everything that my hon. Friend says. It is vital to bring more professionalism into procurement. I do not want this debate to be only about kicking the MOD. I suspect that procurement systems across Government are absolute rubbish, and today's debate highlights a deeply flawed system that we...

Thank you very much. I would simply say that punching above one's weight and getting a result that reverses the mandate of the two large parties are very different things. The question is what happens in the procurement process for a weapons system that Parliament has already voted in principle...

Thank you very much. I would simply say that punching above one's weight and getting a result that reverses the mandate of the two large parties are very different things. The question is what happens in the procurement process for a weapons system that Parliament has already voted in principle...

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Hood. It is also a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis). My remarks will follow on neatly from his, as his did from those of my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy...

It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Hood. It is also a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis). My remarks will follow on neatly from his, as his did from those of my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy...

I do not mind so much when unclassified documents are thrown away, but I do mind when this country's basic protection is thrown away. I really do not want to see another hung Parliament, with both major parties having gone into an election proclaiming their commitment to the next generation...

I do not mind so much when unclassified documents are thrown away, but I do mind when this country's basic protection is thrown away. I really do not want to see another hung Parliament, with both major parties having gone into an election proclaiming their commitment to the next generation...

I feel loth to interrupt my hon. Friend as he expands on how a small but effective team can punch above its weight in the coalition, because he is doing a splendid job. Does he not see, however, that the threat facing the United Kingdom has changed hugely over the...

I feel loth to interrupt my hon. Friend as he expands on how a small but effective team can punch above its weight in the coalition, because he is doing a splendid job. Does he not see, however, that the threat facing the United Kingdom has changed hugely over the...

I shall briefly deal with the point, as it is out there, and then I shall move back to procurement in the narrow sense, if I may.

I shall briefly deal with the point, as it is out there, and then I shall move back to procurement in the narrow sense, if I may.

There is always the possibility that people will change their mind when they see different circumstances, but I genuinely feel that that has not applied in this case as a result of what I was about to explain and what hon. Members will remember. Out of the blue, even though...

There is always the possibility that people will change their mind when they see different circumstances, but I genuinely feel that that has not applied in this case as a result of what I was about to explain and what hon. Members will remember. Out of the blue, even though...

Just as an aside, does the hon. Gentleman have any concerns that the study was one of the documents put in the waste paper bin in the park?

Just as an aside, does the hon. Gentleman have any concerns that the study was one of the documents put in the waste paper bin in the park?

The hon. Gentleman and I both stood on manifesto pledges that said exactly that. I also thank him for his kind comments in welcoming me to my new role. I would like to look more generally to the future of defence procurement. It would be remiss of me not to...

The hon. Gentleman and I both stood on manifesto pledges that said exactly that. I also thank him for his kind comments in welcoming me to my new role. I would like to look more generally to the future of defence procurement. It would be remiss of me not to...