Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, whether National Security Objective 3 applies to all competitive procurements.

National Security Objective 3 is about promoting our prosperity. This Government is committed to ensuring that defence procurement contributes to a more dynamic and productive economy. We strive to obtain the capabilities we need at the best value for the taxpayer, in a way that strengthens our economy and bolsters long-term prosperity.

Each year, the Ministry of Defence awards a significant number of contracts, by means of both single source and competitive procurement. Procurers have to assess whether any of the issues set out in National Security Objective 3 are relevant to their procurement, as each contract is awarded on its own merit using a variety of criteria. Weighting of all relevant factors in procurement is applied on a case-by-case basis, but must not prejudice fair competition.

Our forthcoming refreshed defence industrial policy will explain what further steps we are taking, including in defence procurement, to help the UK's defence and security industries grow and compete successfully.