Contributions
1,528 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence ProcurementThe hon. Gentleman has ranged a long way, from air to ground. The key element is to strengthen our speed and agility, whatever the platform in question. Some of the platforms he…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementI am happy to be Mr Nice Guy when it comes to British industry. A central tenet of the defence and security industrial strategy is that industrial capacity is part of our defence…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementMy hon. Friend is a champion of SMEs and makes an excellent point about prompt payment. I can assure him that the MOD has a standard contract term that requires primes to pay…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementAs I said in the statement, I recognise the unique angle the hon. Gentleman has on this issue, because the factory in question is in his constituency. I stress that the employment…26 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence ProcurementI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his praise for my brilliant colleague, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk), who is now Secretary of…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat is an amusing way of putting the question but it is a serious point. Our plans have not been affected in operational terms because it was always planned that the Prince of…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Gentleman is very persistent. I will have to check that point for him.26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady is more than welcome to write to me with the details, and I will look into this as soon as possible.26 Jun 2023HANSARDMilitary Accommodation: Safety InspectionsThe Ministry of Defence is responsible for some 47,800 military homes in the United Kingdom. Since 1 April 2022, the management and maintenance of the vast majority of that…20 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewI begin by agreeing with the hon. Gentleman on Glenda Jackson; I do not think she was in the House when I was here, but she was an amazing actress and I join in his sentiments and…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement to update the House on the review conducted by Clive Sheldon KC on the lessons to be learned from the…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewMy hon. Friend makes an excellent point and reminds us about the background of the noise and vibration issues. It is my understanding that part of that was because this vehicle…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewIt is no exaggeration to say that no one in this Chamber has greater passion on the subject of procurement and acquisition reform than my right hon. Friend. I look forward to…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewI did not have the pleasure of appearing before the hon. Gentleman in the Select Committee. Obviously, we bring forward this capability to ensure that it can add huge capability…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewI am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Chairman of the Select Committee. Of course, we are absolutely committed to engaging with his Committee and, indeed, with the…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewMy hon. Friend speaks with huge experience as a former senior Army officer, and he is absolutely right. I referred to visiting Bovington last Friday. For the soldiers there, Ajax…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewIt is always a pleasure to receive questions from the hon. Gentleman; we always keep the best until last on the Opposition Benches, in my view. It is a matter of pride for me that…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewI apologise; she is a former Minister. She knows what she is talking about—that is for certain. She made an extremely important point about optimism bias. It may be that I was a…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewMy hon. Friend, who speaks with the expertise of a former Army officer and someone who serves on the Defence Committee, has hit the nail on the head in terms of the issue of…15 Jun 2023HANSARD Armoured Cavalry Programme: Sheldon ReviewThe hon. Gentleman asks a very good question. Obviously, it is important that the Army is satisfied with the capability it has, so that it can fulfil its key operational…15 Jun 2023