Oral Answers to Questions

Barry Sheerman Excerpts

Monday 31st January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robathan]

This is not actually an MOD but a Department of Health measure. As I understand it, the whole mental health package is worth £400 million and it will be announced in April. Some part of it will go towards assistance with mental health problems among members of the armed forces. We already provide a great deal of support to those with mental health problems, not least through the “Fighting Fit” report of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison).

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

7. What his policy is on the use of individual and direct offset agreements in defence contracts.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Peter Luff)]

The Ministry of Defence does not have offset agreements in defence contracts. We do invite prospective offshore suppliers to propose, on a voluntary and non-contractual basis, how they would work with UK companies in support of a contract placed overseas. Following the publication of a Green Paper in December, all policy issues relating to the acquisition of defence equipment are the subject of a consultation that closes on 31 March.

[Mr Sheerman]

Will the hon. Gentleman consider looking at this offset very seriously? Other countries use offset to great benefit, some using it to stimulate investment in environmental technologies. I know that the Government are consulting, as he says, so will he meet a group who have been discussing the issue and some of the industry leaders to discuss it further?

[Peter Luff]

I would be delighted to do so, as part of the Green Paper consultation process.