Contributions
860 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. Falmouth has always had a vital role in the defence of the UK. A&P Falmouth’s in-service support contract, awarded in 2018, is worth some £239…15 Nov 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI cannot comment on that, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that, as I think he is aware, the MOD looks seriously at that area. In March, we published our sustainability strategy,…15 Nov 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Technological CapabilitiesDefence will invest at least £6.6 billion in research and development over the next four years in areas including space, directed energy weapons, and artificial intelligence. This…15 Nov 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI very much hope so. We spend over £20 billion a year on UK defence and over 10% of that goes to Scotland. We have increased the number of direct Scottish defence jobs by a fifth…15 Nov 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I recall, I said we expected a substantial amount of that build to be in the UK, and as the right hon. Gentleman well knows I cannot go much further on an ongoing procurement…15 Nov 2021HANSARDArmoured Cavalry Programme: Ajax UpdateI wish to provide a further update to Parliament on the Ajax equipment project being delivered as part of the armoured cavalry programme. Health and Safety The review by the MOD’s…18 Oct 2021HANSARDDefence Sector JobsWe absolutely do. My hon. Friend is an assiduous proponent of the Island’s defence sector. In the summer, I visited GKN Aerospace in Cowes, which is one of a number of great…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence Sector JobsMOD spending on equipment and support with SMEs exceeded 21% last year. We are determined to push that proportion higher and I will publish a revised SME action plan later this…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence Sector JobsLast week was a good week for defence jobs: I announced investments in laser and radio-frequency weapons, which will sustain 249 jobs and create 49 more, including 30 in Northern…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence Sector JobsIt is absolutely on track. Further progress was made last week with our international partners Italy and Sweden, both of which I have been in discussions with over the summer, and…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence Sector JobsI am hoping to send an exact message. I reassure the right hon. Gentleman that, as I have said, we have made it absolutely clear that the contract will go to a British company,…20 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am pleased to be able to confirm to my right hon. Friend that the High Barnet Army reserve centre has a continuing defence use and there are currently no plans for its sale.20 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsAbsolutely; it did play a key role. It is a very valuable asset, alongside others, including the A400M, which also has a connection with my hon. Friend’s constituency. I have…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsI think that that would be an accidental misunderstanding of the situation on the part of the hon. Gentleman. The reality is that a close friend and a close ally decided that they…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsAlongside the Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we are hugely supportive of defence export campaigns to our friends and…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsAll the questions were excellent, Mr Speaker, and I will try to deal with them. [Interruption.]20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsFirst, let me make it absolutely clear that the agreement with the United States and Australia is a requirement—an Australian requirement—for their strategic purposes. It is a…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsI think that 11,000 licences were granted during the covid period, but I note my hon. Friend’s concern, which I know is a real concern shared elsewhere in the House. DIT attempts…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsI am not actually in a great position to speak on behalf of the Chinese Communist party, but I can speak on behalf of the Government. I am delighted that we have a tilt to the…20 Sept 2021HANSARDDefence ExportsI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman. As I said in my substantive answer, I have been working in Poland, Ukraine, Greece, and many other parts of the world where Babcock has…20 Sept 2021