Future Reserves 2020 Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Defence

Future Reserves 2020

Barry Gardiner Excerpts
Thursday 8th November 2012

(12 years ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Barry Gardiner Portrait Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

Given that defence procurement is exempt from the normal rules of preferential treatment, will the Secretary of State expand on why he said he thought it would be illegal to give such preferential treatment to firms kitemarked under the scheme for employing reservists?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I specifically said that that was where the procurement is not exempt from European Union procurement rules. Not all defence procurement is exempt; only the procurement of warlike supplies is exempt. Some of the strongest and most effective corporate supporters of the reserve service are the big defence contractors. I therefore think the hon. Gentleman is looking to pursue a contractual solution to a problem that does not exist, because they are already among the best in this regard.