Contributions
972 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence Procurement: JobsI thought I had shown some gumption. As I have said, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has said that the policy will be changing—08 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence Procurement: JobsI recognise the important role that my hon. Friend played in ensuring that the GE facilities were maintained in Rugby. I agree that it is absolutely vital to ensure that the…08 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence Procurement: JobsMOD official statistics show that our spending with UK industry in 2017-18 directly supported 115,000 jobs across the country.08 Jul 2019HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsAs I have just announced, my right hon. Friend has made that policy decision. I also remind the hon. Gentleman that we have significant orders in UK shipyards. There is 20 years…08 Jul 2019HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsAs I have said, the EU has raised questions about the classification of some of those countries and the decisions that they have made. Also, some of those vessels are manned by…08 Jul 2019HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI remind the hon. Gentleman that we do have a team UK bid in there, and I am pleased to see that. As I have said on many occasions, we are trying to ensure that we get the very…08 Jul 2019HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsSubject to normal approvals, we anticipate that a design and build contract will be awarded in 2020.08 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence Procurement: JobsI was looking at the two right hon. Gentlemen and wondering whether it was more like Waldorf and Statler, but I will not be so rude—although I have just have been. The right hon.…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman will know that that was a decision made by BAE Systems, and it is ultimately responsible for it. The fact is, as I said earlier, that we have 20 years of work…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I have said on many occasions when answering these questions, we follow the Green Book rules with the Treasury, but we will continue to have those conversations with the…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend is right to highlight the issues with the A400M. I can assure him that I attended that ministerial meeting: it was an extremely robust meeting with industry.…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend raises an important point, and the MOD takes the threat of the nefarious use of drones very seriously. Using the defence transformation fund, we are working with…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point. We had that extra £1.8 billion in the most recent Budget because this is the exactly the sort of area we will look at. I assure him…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady raises an important point. The staff survey results were frankly disappointing, but I assure her that a tremendous amount of work has been done with the workforce to…08 Jul 2019HANSARDContingent Liability: Case Telescoped Cannon and Ammunition ContractI am today laying before the House a departmental minute to advise that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has received approval from Her Majesty’s Treasury to recognise a contingent…08 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence Procurement: JobsI have just explained that the timelines are critical in the current competition, because the existing fleet that will offer support to the carrier will be coming to the end of…08 Jul 2019HANSARDCombat Air StrategyI completely take that point, but, as I say, I have seen a greater number of females in the industry. There are not enough, and I accept that there is more to be done, but I do…27 Jun 2019HANSARDCombat Air StrategyI am always happy to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency. I will certainly try to make room for that, as I said in the debate yesterday, if I am still here in a few weeks.27 Jun 2019HANSARDCombat Air StrategyI take that point completely, but I think the hon. Lady has a pessimistic view of what is happening. In the industries that I have visited I have seen a lot of new apprentices,…27 Jun 2019HANSARDCombat Air StrategyIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Bone. I offer my thanks and congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Robert Courts) for introducing this…27 Jun 2019