Defence: Procurement

Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) initial gate and (b) main gate decisions on category (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) C equipment projects are due to be taken over the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 period.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
The timing of MOD investment decisions depends on the maturity of the project. It is not therefore possible to provide a list of projects due to submit initial gate and main gate business cases during the comprehensive spending review 2007 period.

The investment decisions for projects are taken as soon as the necessary work is complete—any date used within the Department is for planning purposes only.

Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what category (a) A, (b) B and (c) C projects have been (i) deferred, (ii) reduced and (iii) cancelled at (A) initial gate and (B) main gate since 1997-98.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department’s planned expenditure on major equipment projects is committed (a) three years, (b) six years and (c) nine years ahead.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
The Department is currently in the process of Planning Round 08 and therefore planned expenditure for equipment projects is currently under consideration.

The percentage of the Department’s planned expenditure on major equipment projects, currently financially committed, is as follows:

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|                 |Percentage|
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|Three years ahead|48        |
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|Six years ahead  |15        |
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|Nine years ahead |3         |
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The answer is based on the projects listed in the National Audit Office Major Projects Report (HC 98-I Session 2007-2008, dated 30 November 2007).

Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's (a) pre main gate and (b) post main gate category A projects were in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.