Contributions
1,528 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDService AccommodationThe Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s accommodation budget has not yet been finalised for the financial year 2024-25. The Government continue to invest significant sums to…20 May 2024HANSARDDefence Drone StrategyWhat a fantastic question. I can answer the hon. Gentleman simply. Just a few weeks ago, I was in Belfast at the Thales factory, which is manufacturing some of the best weapons…20 May 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the Secretary of State confirmed, we will have two A400M aircraft available for D-Day 80 on 5 June. The number of people who will be dropped will be 181, for the very good…20 May 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementYes.25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsMy hon. Friend asks an excellent question. I welcome the valuable contribution of GE in his constituency in supplying high-tech motors, including for Royal Navy ships, such as…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsThat is an excellent point from my hon. Friend, who is a champion of defence small and medium-sized enterprises in her constituency. As to procurement rules supporting SMEs such…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsI am aware of those companies, which do an excellent job supporting the supply chain, particularly for our primes and for key programmes, especially naval programmes. I do not…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsThe most recent estimate shows that the Ministry of Defence supports about 209,000 jobs in industries across the UK. I am pleased to say that this figure will be boosted further…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementThe Department uses a range of measures to assess the effectiveness of defence acquisition. We have reduced the average time taken to deliver our projects and programmes, but we…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsI think there is considerable consensus, because I agree with the right hon. Lady about the importance of sovereign defence capability, and not just because of the economic…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence JobsI encourage the hon. Gentleman to direct questions about recruitment to the Minister for Defence People and Families. As to the company the hon. Gentleman talks about, my focus is…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementI greatly enjoyed my visit to Odiham, where my hon. Friend and I discussed a wide variety of issues. He is right to draw attention to our commitment to the procurement of 14…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementThe hon. Gentleman asks a very important question. Of course, training is fundamental to bringing in the next generation to man our capability. I recently had the pleasure of…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementI will take no lectures from the hon. Gentleman, whose party has been unable even to procure a ferry. [Hon. Members: “It says here!”] I know the subject, and I can confirm to him,…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementMy right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. He made a similar point in the debate on readiness last week about the importance of accommodation. I think we can all agree that…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementOn the important question of steel, we do not expect the closure of Port Talbot to have a significant impact on defence, but obviously we will continue to monitor that situation.…25 Mar 2024HANSARDDefence ProcurementMy hon. Friend has championed this matter consistently. I am pleased to say that we held the first UK trade mission in December, and that there will be further such missions. I…25 Mar 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI enjoyed my visit to my hon. Friend’s constituency, where we looked at a range of infrastructure and accommodation. I appreciate that she wants to see progress, but I stress that…25 Mar 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Readiness and Defence EquipmentWill the right hon. Gentleman give way?21 Mar 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Readiness and Defence EquipmentI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that. It shows why I have repeatedly said that we need to reform defence procurement because of the need to stay competitive with our…21 Mar 2024