Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) science, (b) technology projects and (c) equipment procurement budgets were for 2001-04; and what the value was of projects that overspent or overran by more than 10 per cent.

Answer: Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) science, (b) technology projects and (c) equipment procurement budgets were for 2001-04; and what the value was of projects that overspent or overran by more than 10 per cent. [219035] Mr. Ingram: The budgets for MOD (a) research, (b) development and (c) equipment procurement are published in UK Defence Statistics 2004 (Tables 1.1,1.7 and 1.15). The research budget is generally applied to exploring speculative subjects and it is not amenable to the type of analysis requested. The chief scientific adviser supervises this work and the majority of the programme is contracted at ascertained costs. In the last few years this programme has been delivered substantially on budget. The performance of the equipment programme is reported within the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts 2003-04 (sections 121-123 procurement performance) and further, more detailed, analysis is contained within the Report by Comptroller and Auditor General on MOD Major Project Report. The latest versions of the relevant publications are in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1735-6W;432 c1731W; 219035
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Defence Defence equipment Finance Expenditure Procurement Technology Research Science
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk