Contributions
735 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorI am not making any announcements today, but I have heard what the hon. Member said, and I want these matters dealt with more swiftly than in the past. He needs to listen out,…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Armaments DirectorThe hon. Member is going to ask me about the new medium helicopter.25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementWe have shown how we will increase spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027. That is fully funded, and we have made clear how we will get to 3% in the next Parliament, as conditions allow.…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementIt is not such a step. We are joining the NATO nuclear mission. We have just published a strategic defence review that sets out that our defence posture is “NATO first”. We are…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementNo, our continuous at-sea deterrent has been the policy of both governing parties for many years and that has not changed. The announcement today is about our joining the NATO…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI and the Government have been very clear about our commitment to the continuous at-sea deterrent and to procuring the new Dreadnought boats and the new warhead, so I can give the…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementWe have a fully sovereign national nuclear capability—a continuous at-sea deterrent—that is dedicated totally to NATO and to protecting the European homeland. The current decision…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI thank my hon. Friend for his comments. What we are talking about does not of course preclude any support for the Typhoon. We are very committed to our Typhoons, and we are…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementWe are adding some of our capability to the NATO nuclear mission by purchasing these weapons, which has been welcomed by our allies and by the NATO Secretary-General as improving…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementThe right hon. Gentleman is wrong, I am afraid. It is in compliance with the non-proliferation treaty. The NATO nuclear mission would carry US nuclear weapons, which are already…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI am pleased that my hon. Friend is supportive of the announcement. As the House is aware, this Government have increased our defence spending by more than at any time since the…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementI cannot say precisely whether any of the 100 companies that are UK-based suppliers on this programme are in my hon. Friend’s constituency or his region—I will have to go away and…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNuclear-certified Aircraft ProcurementThe UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a major boost for national security. The Prime Minister has announced at…25 Jun 2025HANSARD War MemorialsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. It is quite clear from the debate today that many Members here, and probably many who have not made it to the debate,…24 Jun 2025HANSARD War MemorialsThe right hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point. For families left behind—increasingly as time passes, it seems to me—the lack of a grave or something to mark an individual’s…24 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Sector JobsThis Government are making defence an engine for growth across the UK. Our forthcoming defence industrial strategy will grow a faster, more integrated, more innovative and…19 May 2025HANSARDDefence Sector JobsI thank my hon. Friend for that question. We are delivering for defence across all the nations and regions. The Clyde infrastructure programme—a £1.8 billion programme—will create…19 May 2025HANSARDDefence Sector JobsThe hon. Gentleman has set out some troop movement issues. We are moving to a lighter formation, but there is no reason why we cannot meet him and explain the situation in full,…19 May 2025HANSARDDefence Sector JobsThe hon. Member has set out a compelling reason why I should meet him, and I am very happy to do so.19 May 2025HANSARDDefence Sector JobsMy hon. Friend makes a good point. We are delivering for defence by putting people at the heart of our defence plans. The new consumer charter for families in military homes will…19 May 2025