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Defence Procurement

My concern is simply to ensure that we have the equipment that our forces need in order to do the job. That is the No. 1, overriding priority. The No. 2 priority is to secure the equipment in the required form, to the required specification and at the required time, and at the lowest possible price for the taxpayer. All other considerations are tertiary at best—including, I have to say, the creation of employment in the defence industries. We must be tough and rigorous about these matters. There are choices to be made. I have tried to give an honest answer to the hon. Gentleman's question.