Contributions
860 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Had this been like the Nimrod situation, where £3.7 billion was wasted by the previous Government and they attempted to blame it on us,…10 Jan 2022HANSARDAjax Programme: CostAs reported by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in July 2021, the budgeted cost of Ajax is £6.354 billion to manufacture the vehicle and bring it to full operating…10 Jan 2022HANSARDAjax Programme: CostThe hon. Gentleman is correct to say that I sounded an upbeat note in terms of the jobs in south Wales. We were right to commission the report. It was a thorough report and I…10 Jan 2022HANSARDAjax Programme: CostI congratulate my hon. Friend on her elevation; that is good to see. She refers to the approval process for Ajax, which was indeed under the last Labour Administration. I think it…10 Jan 2022HANSARDAjax Programme: CostThere is a whole raft of measures. I have met the hon. Gentleman and he is aware from reading the report of what has been set out. We immediately accepted the vast majority of…10 Jan 2022HANSARDFuture Soldier Programme: Army Estate in WalesNo, they are not. The good news is that the Ministry of Defence holds the freehold for the west camp land, which was not covered by the historic agreement made with the Welsh…10 Jan 2022HANSARDFuture Soldier Programme: Army Estate in WalesI am aware of the discussions and the proposal and I have seen some suggestions, but I am not in a position to give any detail to my hon. Friend at the moment. I will look into it…10 Jan 2022HANSARDAwarding of Defence ContractsThe defence and security industrial strategy provides a more flexible approach to determine the right acquisition strategy for any given capability, in line with our priorities…10 Jan 2022HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewThere are two halves to my right hon. Friend’s question. Given his background, I would expect nothing less from him than to be truly shocked by what this report reveals, and so am…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewI am impressed with the hon. Gentleman’s attention to detail, but technical issues are not really within the scope of the health and safety report. Mr King would not claim to be…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewThose are good questions from the right hon. Gentleman. The key point from the quote he read out is the words “thus far”. Our focus with GD is getting a vehicle that meets the…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewI thank the hon. Lady. The passion with which she addresses that point is at the heart of why we undertook the report. I have to be slightly careful about what I say. Four…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewI thank the shadow Secretary of State for welcoming the transparency that this report represents from the Ministry of Defence. He is absolutely right that its commissioning and…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement to update the House on Ajax, which is an important capability and a vital step-change in the way the…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewI thank the Chair of the Defence Committee for his comments. Last year, his Committee produced a helpful report on armoured vehicles that made absolutely clear the requirement to…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and for his input on this issue. He, like me, knows Merthyr. I visited the factory and the people working there. It is a great set-up…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewThe right hon. Gentleman raises good questions, but I hope that I can reassure him in part. The conclusion does say that the vehicle is not fit for purpose. Of course it is not…15 Dec 2021HANSARD Ajax Noise and Vibration ReviewTo confuse the right hon. Member for Warley (John Spellar) with my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (John Redwood) is not a mistake that I would dare to make, Madam…15 Dec 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Technological CapabilitiesMy hon. Friend asks a very good question that needs to be addressed. I am pleased to confirm that we are producing a defence AI strategy that will cover how we will get an…15 Nov 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI assure my hon. Friend that, as he is aware, there is no longer a military requirement for RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The timing of the site’s disposal is under active consideration.…15 Nov 2021