Select committee: Defence Committee

Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry

Closed Opened 4 Oct 2017 Closed 4 Oct 2017
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The House of Commons Defence Select Committee conducts an inquiry into the defence and acquisition policy of the Ministry of Defence. Previous inquiry: Defence Acquisition and Procurement Previous inquiry: Written and oral evidence

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 4 October 2017.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 1st Report - Gambling on 'Efficiency': Defence Acquisition and Procurement on 17 December 2017.

The government's response

Published 26 February 2018.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the report and responds point by point, agreeing on some matters such as local value and the role of science and technology, while noting or qualifying others, including the efficiency tracker and the pre-appointment hearings.

  • On the recommendation to broaden 'value for money' to include local value, it says "We agree with the Committee's recommendation" and commits to pilot analysis of economic value in the concept phase of "some higher value business cases".
  • On an 'efficiency tracker', it "note[s]" the recommendation and will "ensure consideration is given to" publication, adding that this "may not be feasible" given sensitivity and the effect on timely decisions.
  • On the Single Source Regulations Office's scope and powers, it points to a review of the legislation completed in December 2017, and says the Defence Secretary "will be announcing the way forward" shortly.
  • On pre-appointment hearings, it says the DE&S chief executive post is "not a public appointment", but the Secretary of State is "happy for the Committee to invite them to give evidence before they take up their post".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

1 report