Contributions
1,528 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDService Family Accommodation and Winter PlanningLast December, my predecessor responded to an urgent question in the House about the poor state of service family accommodation and the performance of Ministry of Defence…13 Nov 2023HANSARDMaking Britain a Clean Energy SuperpowerThey are all listening.09 Nov 2023HANSARDService AccommodationI visited Catterick on Friday and I discussed precisely that matter with senior members of the armed forces based at Catterick. The characterisation that my right hon. Friend uses…11 Sept 2023HANSARDService AccommodationThis is an extremely important subject, and we care immensely about improving our estate. Such concerns do not fall on deaf ears. If that were the case we would not have put on…11 Sept 2023HANSARDService AccommodationThe Government continue to invest significant sums to improve the quality of UK service family accommodation, with £337 million invested over financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is good news on both fronts for my hon. Friend. First, yes, a lot of work is going on to improve the speed of procurement. I am also pleased to confirm that I have already a…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI did give a statement to the House—I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was present—in which I confirmed that we would learn the lessons of the Sheldon review, but, above…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAt the moment, we are not releasing specific details because the work is ongoing, but I assure him and the House on two points. First, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has…11 Sept 2023HANSARDDefence Sector: UK-based JobsDebate is ongoing in defence procurement, and has been for many years, about the difference between buying off-the-shelf and having our own sovereign capability. The fact is that,…11 Sept 2023HANSARDDefence Sector: UK-based JobsI have the greatest respect for my right hon. Friend, but he will appreciate that we do not comment on the operational availability of submarines, which is a particularly…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend has been an absolute champion of all matters relating to our relationship with Ukraine. We have seen very rapid procurement, particularly in relation to urgent…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend asks an excellent question. It must be clear to everyone just from what is available on social media that uncrewed air systems, as they are called, have an…11 Sept 2023HANSARDDefence Sector: UK-based JobsThe latest estimates suggest that Ministry of Defence investment supports over 200,000 jobs in industries across the UK. I believe that the best way to keep growing jobs in…11 Sept 2023HANSARDDefence Sector: UK-based JobsI welcome the right hon. Lady to her new position as my ministerial shadow. We are very proud of our record, because in the past year or so we have been faced with a war on our…11 Sept 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is always a pleasure to engage with the hon. Gentleman. If I cannot visit that specific company, I intend to hold forums for small and medium-sized enterprises around the…11 Sept 2023HANSARDInnovative Defence TechnologyThe hon. Gentleman asks an important question on an important programme. We are still committed to Morpheus, but there is a limit to what I can say at the moment because we are…26 Jun 2023HANSARDInnovative Defence TechnologyThe Ministry of Defence works closely with UK industry and academia, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to identify and invest in innovative technologies that address…26 Jun 2023HANSARDInnovative Defence TechnologyMy right hon. Friend asks an excellent question and I know there is huge public interest in AI. I make it clear that last year’s defence AI strategy set out our intent to develop…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementWe are driving the delivery of capability to the frontline. Over a two-year period to December 2022, we have seen a one-year reduction in the average programme duration, but we…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementI do not accept that. I am happy to write to the hon. Member with the details. Our position is that, obviously, we want to use UK steel and we recognise its quality, but there…26 Jun 2023