STORY
The Government has agreed to seek the creation of a new House of Commons committee to scrutinise Defence Nuclear Enterprise spending and programmes. The committee would examine expenditure relating to the UK’s nuclear deterrent and associated programmes.
The move follows a recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee and was also linked by the Government to the recent Strategic Defence Review. Ministers said the committee would provide a formal parliamentary route for considering National Audit Office reports on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
The proposed committee would be appointed by the Prime Minister and established under House of Commons Standing Orders, subject to approval by the House. The Government said the arrangement would need appropriate controls because of the sensitivity of the material involved.