AUKUS Submarines Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab) 2.
Whether he is taking steps to ensure that AUKUS submarines are
built in the UK. (903329) The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Ben Wallace) I am meeting my Australian counterpart this week to
discuss a range of defence issues. The UK is one of the few
countries in the world that can design and build nuclear-powered
submarines. Developing that capability represents a major
undertaking for...Request free trial
AUKUS Submarines
(Birmingham, Selly Oak)
(Lab)
2. Whether he is taking steps to ensure that AUKUS submarines are
built in the UK. (903329)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
I am meeting my Australian counterpart this week to discuss a
range of defence issues. The UK is one of the few countries in
the world that can design and build nuclear-powered submarines.
Developing that capability represents a major undertaking for
Australia, and experience suggests that collaboration is often
necessary to develop complex platforms. I am optimistic that UK
industry will benefit from such collaboration.
I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. He will
be aware that when the former Prime Minister made his statement
on the AUKUS deal back on 15 September 2021, he was emphatic that
the deal would lead to hundreds of highly skilled jobs in
Scotland, the north of England and the midlands. When does the
Secretary of State think that those jobs will be created, and can
he give me any idea about the specific locations?
Mr Wallace
We also said at the time that there would be an 18-month study
programme where we work out both design and work share for this
submarine. That is drawing to a close. We are waiting for the
Australian Government to make their decision on what AUKUS looks
like. Given the amounts of money that Australia will be spending
on this enterprise, the need for international collaboration and
the fact that both Barrow-in-Furness and Faslane are global
centres of excellence that will help to deliver on that deal, I
am confident that all those statements will turn out to be
exactly as they were made. Let me give the hon. Gentleman some
indication of this: we are already increasing the number of jobs
in Barrow, from 10,000 people to 17,000, in order to fulfil both
the Dreadnought programme—the nuclear deterrent—and the next
generation of Britain’s attack submarines.
(Barrow and Furness) (Con)
I thank my right hon. Friend for the considerable effort that his
Department, the Government and the Navy have put into securing
this important agreement. It was heartening to see the presence
of representatives from the Royal Australian Navy and also the
Australian Government at the commissioning of HMS Anson, and to
hear the announcement that Australian submariners will be
training on that vessel, too. With that in mind, does my right
hon. Friend agree that this agreement is crucial to securing a
new geo-political and strategic agreement with Australia, the UK
and the UK on areas such as subsea and cyber to keep us safe?
Mr Wallace
Barrow-in-Furness, Devonport and Faslane are key components in
delivering our nuclear submarine capability and can almost not be
replicated around the world. It is very important that we
recognise our speciality and skills. When Australia chose to go
for nuclear submarines as an option, it did so because it
recognised that there were about five countries on earth that
could do this, and that it was important if it wanted to retain a
strategic edge in the Pacific and its part of the world against
any future adversaries. We know that: that is what we did for the
past 70 years in the Atlantic alongside our American friends. I
am delighted that Australia is joining that programme.
(West
Dunbartonshire) (SNP)
The AUKUS deal was supposed to be the defining agreement of the
Indo-Pacific tilt, which this Government said in the Integrated
Review—I am sure that the Secretary of State remembers this—would
make the UK the European partner with the broadest and most
integrated presence in the Indo-Pacific. Given today’s news and
the fact that the combination of historic defence cuts and
inflation will make the high hopes of the Integrated Review
harder to fulfil this time, will the Secretary of State inform
the House whether it will still be the UK’s aim to be the
European partner with the broadest and most integrated presence
in the Indo-Pacific?
Mr Wallace
The hon. Gentleman is right to ask those questions. It is still
our ambition. So far, two of the planks of AUKUS are already in
place, and we will be seeing the full details of that. It is no
mean undertaking to commit to helping another country build that
capability and be engaged in its training and deployment. That is
a very deep and enduring deal. The investment of the United
States in joining with us all those decades ago has lasted 70
years—that is a tilt on any basis—but we also had a carrier
strike group on a visit only two years ago. That has continued,
and we plan for another one in 2025.
(North West Leicestershire)
(Ind)
More broadly, what steps is my right hon. Friend’s Department
taking to further strengthen and broaden the AUKUS alliance?
Mr Wallace
The second pillar of AUKUS includes things such as artificial
intelligence, hypersonics, cyber and all sorts of other
technologies that are critical not only to complement the
deployment of submarines, but to further engage our collective
security. Those are technologies that are rarely shared between
nations, but the United States recognises that, in order to face
up to the challenges till the end of this decade, we need to make
sure that we both share our industries and that we have
protection from each other’s markets to make sure that we not
only share, but get to sell into them as well, which is quite
important.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Wentworth and Dearne)
(Lab)
This week, like the Secretary of State, I will be meeting the
Australian Defence Minister and discussing AUKUS with him. I want
him to know that, while there may be a change of UK Government at
the next election, there will be no change in Britain’s
commitment to AUKUS. If done well, this pact could deepen our
closest alliances, strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific and
bring game-changing investment to Britain. What priority has the
Defence Secretary given to building the first subs here, and when
will the build plan be announced?
Mr Wallace
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s support for AUKUS and I note
his point on a Government, though of course there will be no
complacency from the Labour party; I hope they will not repeat
what happened once in the 1990s. The reality is that AUKUS makes
good security sense, and those on this Labour Front Bench
recognise good global security, even if those on the last one did
not. His questions are a matter for the Australians, who
ultimately will make the decisions and are the customer in the
sense of where they spend the Australian taxpayer’s money. We
have of course contributed to the discussion and offer, but
Australia will have to make a decision about time and how quickly
it wants the capability, how much it wants to build in Australia
and what is the right fit for its ambition: Britain or the United
States’ existing fleet. I suspect that will come some time in
March, if not in February, and I am happy to keep him up to date.
We have put in a good proposition, and I am delighted he is
meeting his counterpart, because our relationships matter.
Memorandum of Understanding: MOD and League Against Cruel
Sports
(Cambridge) (Lab)
3. For what reasons he ended the memorandum of understanding
between his Department and the League Against Cruel Sports.
(903330)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
The Ministry of Defence, as the UK’s biggest landowner, is
delighted to welcome a range of people to use the land, including
walkers, mountain bikers and riders; as long as they use the land
responsibly, they are welcome on it. No one, however, should
receive special treatment.
There was a memorandum of understanding that facilitated the
monitoring of trail hunting on the Department’s land. Sadly,
trail hunting is sometimes used as a smokescreen for illegal
hunting, and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has recorded
incidents of foxes killed on Ministry of Defence land and the
threatening conduct of some hunt staff. Can the Secretary of
State tell us whether he was aware of the serious concerns in the
DIO over the behaviour of hunts licensed in his name, and what
advice was given by officials?
Mr Wallace
I am glad the hon. Gentleman has raised the MOU, which was put in
place without any announcement to Parliament or any informing of
Members of this House. It was not even put in the Library, as
would normally happen for a change of policy by any Government.
It was obviously disturbing to discover that the policy existed
and gave special treatment to one group of users. I am sure he
does not want people to have special treatment; I think everyone
has a right to use that land that way. The policy also coincided
with a large donation to the Labour party at the turn of the
century from a whole group of those animal rights people. It is
corrupt, Mr Speaker, that is what it is: a policy unannounced to
this House after a funding donation to one political party, and
now they are asking for special treatment. Everyone should
respect each other in how they use that land. Having now
investigated even further, I am aware that there are plenty of
complaints from other sides, although this is not about sides; it
is about whether one group gets special treatment.
MOD Expenditure: Official Development Assistance
(Glasgow North) (SNP)
4. What proportion of his Department’s expenditure in (a) Ukraine
and (b) other countries he plans to classify as Official
Development Assistance in (i) this and (ii) the next financial
year. (903331)
The Minister for Armed Forces ()
None.
In that case, I do not expect that the MOD will be taking any
credit for the work that the conflict, stability and security
fund does. The reality is that over the years, the Government
have made a habit of double-counting spending to both the ODA
target and the NATO 2% defence target—and of course the Home
Office is busy raiding the ODA budget every chance it gets. Does
that not do a disservice to what both the NATO 2% target and the
ODA target are supposed to achieve?
The connection to the NATO target is somewhat tenuous, but there
is a pattern to the hon. Gentleman’s questions. I think this is
the fourth time he has asked this in oral questions, and he ask
asked it in a number of written questions as well. I also think
his point is principally aimed at colleagues in the Foreign
Office and Treasury, but if he would like to meet MOD officials
to discuss once and for all the MOD’s plans for the use of ODA, I
would be very happy to facilitate such a meeting.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Defence Committee.
(Bournemouth East) (Con)
Speaking of budgets and Ukraine, may I invite the Minister to
respond to comments from the United States—our closest security
ally—which tally with the Defence Committee’s findings that the
conflict in Ukraine has exposed serious shortfalls in the
war-fighting capability of the British Army? This is not about
the professionalism of individuals, units or formations; it is
about overall combat strength and the equipment they use, as well
as the ability to meet increasing demands caused by the
deteriorating threat picture.
I am not sure that the United States has said anything about the
official development assistance budget recently, but if you will
indulge me, Mr Speaker, that is a wider point of
news—[Interruption.] Thank you. Everybody is clear, and the
Secretary of State has said many times—as have I and other
ministerial colleagues —that serial underinvestment in the Army
over decades has led to the point where the Army is in urgent
need of recapitalisation. The Chancellor and the Prime Minister
get that, and there is a Budget coming.
British Shipbuilding
(Wimbledon) (Con)
5. What steps his Department is taking to support British
shipbuilding. (903332)
(Harrow East) (Con)
8. What steps his Department is taking to support British
shipbuilding. (903337)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
The national shipbuilding strategy and the National Shipbuilding
Office are supporting our ambition to grow the UK shipbuilding
enterprise and support UK jobs. Five new Type 31 frigates being
built in Rosyth will support more than 1,000 UK jobs. The fleet
solid support contract will deliver £77 million of investment,
and create more than 1,200 jobs in UK shipyards and many more
across the UK supply chain.
I thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging answer. He will
know that offshore support vessels will be required for the Crown
Estate offshore wind arrangements, for which licences are due to
be tendered. Can he do anything to ensure that those vessels are
made in the UK?
Mr Wallace
First, it is predominantly a matter for private companies or
indeed non-Government departments to choose how and why to buy
those vessels. But of course, to encourage more UK shipbuilding,
we announced in the shipbuilding strategy last year the home
shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme, which is there to help
counter what seems to be a perverse incentive whereby other
countries’ export credits encourage British companies to build
abroad. We have been working closely on this with the Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and I hope that we
will be able to announce more details soon.
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer thus far. Clearly, as
we replace ageing ships and increase the size of the Navy, it is
important that we ensure that those ships are built in Britain
rather than abroad. What measures will he take to ensure that
there is a long-term plan so that our shipbuilders can plan for
the future?
Mr Wallace
I point my hon. Friend to the national shipbuilding strategy,
which puts in place lots of measures, such as the home
shipbuilding guarantee scheme and export credits for foreign
buyers, as well as a skills plan, a “yards for the future” plan,
which is about what a modern yard should look like and whether we
can compete with European yards that have already beaten us to
too many contracts, and a shipbuilding pipeline. That is an
incredibly important indicator to the industry that there is a
long-term pipeline to come through. It is also important to
recognise that if we are going to be as successful as we are in
the aerospace industry, we will need export, and if we are to
export to other markets, we have to recognise that international
collaboration is also part of the process. Do I think that
Australia and Canada would have bought our Type 26s if we had
said, “No way, you are only having ‘British’ on it”? No, and all
our supply chain would have suffered as a result.
(Chesterfield) (Lab)
Notwithstanding what the Secretary of State has said, we know
that many aspects of the shipbuilding industry feel that our
Government have been less supportive of them than some of our
competitor nations around the world. If the Government continue
to award contracts under which large proportions of the work are
completed abroad, will that not undermine the British
shipbuilding industry? Will the Secretary of State say something
more about how we can ensure that more of these ships are built
by UK shipbuilding firms?
Mr Wallace
I really urge the hon. Gentleman not to listen to the propaganda
and claptrap of the union leadership. I recently went to Belfast
and to Appledore and met the local unions and do you know what?
They do not agree with their leadership’s statements and rather
bizarre propaganda. Fundamentally, the fleet solid support ships
will be entirely put together, and nearly two thirds built or
supplied, through the UK. At the same time, we are getting £77
million of investment into the yards to modernise them so that
they can compete. For too long, our yards have not won contracts,
whether Government or private, because we have found that the big
prime contractors have not invested in modernising the skills in
the yards. When I meet the workforce, whether in Govan or
elsewhere, they say that they want to be invested in.
Mr Speaker
Secretary of State, we have got to get through all the questions,
not just the first ones.
(Enfield North) (Lab)
I refer the House to my declaration in the Register of Members’
Financial Interests. As a proud member of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly, I have been lucky enough to visit some of our fellow
NATO Parliamentary Assembly members, such as the US and Spain,
which take huge pride in their buoyant shipbuilding sectors. The
Secretary of State talks about the ships being put together in
this country. With contracts being awarded outside the UK, or a
large portion of them being completed abroad, how does he expect
to keep investment in the UK—
Mr Speaker
Order. I am sorry, it is not fair to everybody else. I am
bringing you in on a supplementary; it does not mean you can take
all day. Try to answer it, Secretary of State.
Mr Wallace
I can guess the memo that was sent from the union to the hon.
Lady about what to ask. The reality is that unless we invest in
our shipbuilding industry and unless we collaborate
internationally, we will not have a shipbuilding industry. We
tried it the other way, and it did not work. We have to build
collaboratively. In the aerospace industry, including in
Lancashire, where you and I are from, Mr Speaker, we have the
Typhoon aircraft, which is an international collaboration and a
world-beating success, employing tens of thousands British
people.
Mr Speaker
I call the Opposition spokesperson.
(Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)
In an answer to my written parliamentary question on 26 January
2023, the Minister for Defence Procurement, the hon. and learned
Member for Cheltenham () said that the Type 32 frigates
are
“a key part of the future fleet”.
In the National Audit Office report on the equipment plan, it
reported that
“Navy Command withdrew its plans for Type 32 frigates…because of
concerns about unaffordability.”
How can Type 32 frigates be a key part of the future fleet if
there are question marks around their affordability?
Mr Wallace
That is because the Type 32 frigate will not come in until after
2030 or 2031, because it will come after the Type 31s, which are
being constructed in Rosyth as we speak. What the Type 32s are
going to be, how they will be designed and who will build them is
obviously a matter for between now and towards the centre of the
decade. Even if the hon. Gentleman gets into government, no
Treasury will give a budget for seven years forward, so it is
important to make sure that we do not sign on the dotted line
before we have the budget in line. It is absolutely the intention
of the Royal Navy to have more frigates and destroyers, including
the Type 32.
Military Procurement Standards
(Haltemprice and Howden)
(Con)
6. What steps his Department is taking to improve military
procurement standards. (903335)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
Defence procurement is some of the most complex in government,
but our defence and security industrial strategy represents a
step change that will see industry, Government and academia
working closer together, while fundamentally reforming
regulations to improve the speed of acquisition and to
incentivise innovation and productivity. Our acquisition reforms
will drive pace and agility into procurement to improve
delivery.
Mr Davis
I very much agree with the Secretary of State on the need for
increased defence expenditure if we are to remain a tier 1 power.
Nevertheless, in every one of the past 21 years, the National
Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee have criticised
the MOD’s procurement of equipment, poor identification of
military needs, poor quality of equipment, slow delivery of
projects, an inability to control costs and a corporate culture
too traditional and resistant to change. Those are just some of
the criticisms. Does he agree that we need to put those issues
right if we are to be a tier 1 power?
Mr Wallace
I absolutely agree. First, that is why for the second year in a
row, and nearly for a third, under my stewardship the Ministry of
Defence will come in on budget or under budget—the first time in
decades—to make sure that we live within our means. Secondly, it
is also important to point out that it is always a challenge for
any Secretary of State for Defence that the Treasury likes to
deal in one, two, three or four years. Some of the programmes we
are talking about, such as the Type 31 or the future solid
support ship, are decades-long, and in that long process of
complexity, threat changes, technology changes and inflation
changes, and indeed there are all the challenges around. If we
are going to have Governments investing in long-term
infrastructure, whether civil or military, it is important to
understand that long-term investment has a different risk
profile. If we do everything year by year, we will always end up
in a similar position.
(Newcastle upon Tyne
North) (Lab)
The Secretary of State will be aware of growing concerns about
the impact of delays and the management of defence programmes on
our defence readiness. What specifically is he doing to ensure
that the UK will meet our UK NATO obligations in full?
Mr Wallace
We are still on track to maintain above 2% of GDP on defence
spending, if that is the obligation to which the hon. Lady is
referring. It is important, as colleagues have pointed out, to
make sure we get good value for money. It is also important that
we try to deliver on time. Some programmes are on time, and 85%
of defence programmes do come on time—the major collaborative
ones and the major complex ones over long terms are often the
ones that cause us problems. We need to improve that and make
sure we do not over-spec. We also need to make sure that, where
possible, we collaborate and improve internal mechanisms that
often hold things up.
(The Wrekin) (Con)
The UK has some of the highest defence procurement standards in
the world, and I am glad that the Government are seeking to drive
them up still further under my right hon. Friend’s leadership.
When co-operating with our international friends, allies and
partners—particularly Ukraine—does he agree that it is vital that
they have similar levels of transparency in their defence
procurement to maintain public confidence and support for
Ukraine?
Mr Wallace
It is important, across the international community, that the
public get a sense of where all our donations are going and how
they are being used. On a recent visit, I met Ukrainians and
other international partners to ensure that we put in place some
form of assurance, so that we know where what we are sending is
going, because soon the public will rightly say, “What is
happening to it?” It is also important to recognise, as Ukraine
has shown, that supply chains, whether domestic or multinational,
have to be supported to ensure that we can surge them at times of
need, rather than having to blow the dust off them and it taking
months or years to reopen them.
(Warley) (Lab)
As the Secretary of State has indicated, Ukraine has made it
graphically clear that long-term ordering is vital to the defence
industry and to maintaining capacity in machinery and manpower.
Does he therefore accept that the failure to place orders for new
nuclear submarines between 2010 and 2016, even though there was a
clear majority in the House for doing that, was a major strategic
error?
Mr Wallace
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I will do a deal with
him if he admits that that is not the only example: we have all
made strategic errors in our defence policies in the last two
decades, because the Treasury has worked in the short term, so we
have hollowed out the company. Government after Government have
wanted more but have not wanted to fund it—his Government were no
different, as I know, because I was serving in the Army under
them.
(Rayleigh and Wickford)
(Con)
The AJAX programme has been
so controversial that the Secretary of State personally
commissioned an independent review by Clive Sheldon KC into the
flow of information surrounding it. Has he yet received that
report? When does he intend to publish it? Can he promise the
House that he will do so in full and unredacted?
Mr Wallace
I am informed by the Minister for Defence Procurement that the
report is coming imminently, which I hope means in a few weeks,
not months. I will read it and then, of course, I will make sure
that, at the very least, the findings are shared with the House.
I am happy to have a discussion with the Defence Committee about
how much we can share with it, subject to any security
concerns.
The good news is that AJAX is now starting
the next phase of trials. As I have always said, I am determined
to fix that troubled programme. We are now on the way to getting
it through the next most important trials, after its having
passed its user viability trials up to Christmas. I am trying to
fix that programme and get it delivered. At the same time, I am
delighted to learn the lessons.
(Barnsley Central) (Lab)
The MOD procured services to administer defence housing and
accommodation. It is now more than a month since my urgent
question, when the Minister for Defence Procurement said:
“VIVO, Amey and Pinnacle are, I know, in no doubt about
Ministers’ profound dissatisfaction at their
performance.”[—[Official Report, 20 December 2022; Vol. 725, c.
144.]](/search/column?VolumeNumber=725&ColumnNumber=144&House=1)
Since then, there have been more cases of poor repair and poor
service. Can the Secretary of State say, specifically with regard
to defence accommodation, whether the procurement process is fit
for purpose and whether he has confidence in the current
providers?
Mr Wallace
It is a timely question from the hon. Gentleman. This weekend, I
looked at the different options for finding compensation or
recompense from the providers in the first place. I get a weekly
update on individual cases and how many cases are in the queues.
In some areas, they have made progress and their progress is
comparable or better than the private sector, but there is still
work to be done. I am most concerned about mould and dampness; we
have seen some success around heating. We expect a better
service, however, and the Minister for Defence Procurement meets
the providers regularly. It is important to note that we will
keep their contracts under review and, if we do not get a better
standard, I will take other steps.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
The question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley
Central () is a good one, because the Government’s failure on
defence procurement is not limited to weapons and ammunition. We
need only to speak to people in defence housing with leaky roofs,
black mould and broken boilers to realise that defence
procurement is failing the people who serve in our military and
their families. Last year the MOD paid £144 million to private
contractors to maintain service families’ accommodation, yet many
homes are still awaiting repairs and not getting the service that
they deserve. One of the Secretary of State’s Ministers has
admitted that these contracts do not represent value for taxpayer
money, so why did the MOD sign them in the first place, and when
will he be able to tell all our troops that they have a home fit
for heroes?
Mr Wallace
We always want our homes to be fit for the men and women of our
armed forces. I distinctly remember my time in Germany, and
indeed in the UK, when the service was in-house, and I can assure
the hon. Gentleman that there were issues with living under a
standard of home then, which in some cases were worse. We have
been monitoring to make sure that we get these reports answered.
It was interesting that the start point of some of the problems
was a lack of manning of the helpline at the very
beginning—people were ringing up at Christmas and almost no one
was there—and then having to work through the whole process. We
are trying to do more. We will hold the providers to account and
take financial action or whatever against them if we have to do
so; I am not shy about doing that. We will try to seek
compensation for the people suffering and to improve what is
happening. However, in some areas, waits over five days are
getting better. That is the first point; we are getting
closer.
Mr Speaker
I call the Scottish National party spokesperson.
(Angus) (SNP)
Multiple major procurement projects for which the Submarine
Delivery Agency is responsible are late or over budget, or often
both. Taxpayers are used to the concept of bonuses, but in the
real world these bonuses are linked to performance. Those same
taxpayers are haemorrhaging billions of their hard-earned taxes
on the demonstrable failures of the MOD, not least those of the
SDA. How can the Secretary of State justify giving six-figure
bonuses to executives of failing MOD agencies? On the eminently
reasonable supposition that he cannot defend the indefensible,
what will he do to rectify those incoherent remuneration packages
going forward?
Mr Wallace
The payments represent a number of new appointments that we have
made and that we are turning around the Submarine Delivery Agency
to improve availability. One area of deep concern has been the
consequences of the hollowing out over the decades of maintenance
and the availability of dry docks and other things in places such
as Devonport which allow us to make sure that submarines are
maintained in time to achieve better availability. The work is
going well. It is important sometimes to change the workforce and
ensure that we get the best, capable people possible to turn
things around. I am confident that the new team are able to do
that, and I am looking forward to seeing the results.
Veterans UK and Veterans Welfare Service
(Aberconwy) (Con)
7. What steps (a) Veterans UK and (b) the Veterans Welfare
Service are taking to support veterans. (903336)
(St Helens South and Whiston)
(Lab)
17. What steps (a) Veterans UK and (b) the Veterans Welfare
Service are taking to support veterans and their families.
(903346)
The Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families
( )
On Thursday I had the great pleasure of visiting Lancashire and
in particular Veterans UK at Norcross. I met some really great
people who provide a range of support to our veterans. One of the
biggest impediments to progress is around data. Consequently, we
are putting £40 million into a transformation programme that will
digitise our existing processes, enabling our staff to provide
more effective and efficient support to our personnel and
veterans and substantially improve their experience.
Our veterans and their families have made an invaluable
contribution to securing our freedoms and our nation, but broadly
only about a quarter are in receipt of a pension that entitles
them to support from the veterans advisory and pensions
committees across the UK. First, will the Minister join me in
paying tribute to the work of VAPCs in supporting veterans?
Secondly, will he support my private Member’s Bill on 24
February, which seeks to extend their remit and expand the cohort
of veterans to whom they can offer assistance?
Dr Murrison
I am very grateful to my hon. Friend. VAPCs provide a wonderful
and unsung service, as did the war pension committees before
them. Of course I look forward to 24 February, and I will give
his Bill my wholehearted support.
Ms Rimmer
Those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country
safe should not have to rely on benefits to get by. How does the
Minister plan to help veterans reliant on universal credit to
acquire the skills they need to access well-paid employment?
Dr Murrison
The hon. Lady will be aware of the career transition partnership.
She will be aware too of the special arrangements for veterans
who are unfortunately ill or injured to get them into civilian
life in a seamless way and provide them with the skills they need
for the rest of their lives. It is important to understand that
all servicemen and servicewomen are civilians in waiting. They
all return to the communities from which they are drawn, and
throughout their careers they have preparation to enable them to
do so in as seamless a fashion as possible with the skills that
they need.
(Bracknell) (Con)
The Minister will know that the all-party parliamentary group on
veterans is currently running a survey of the experience of
veterans across the UK when claiming compensation, war pensions
and other fiscal support from Veterans UK. That survey closes
tomorrow. Will he please agree to meet me to discuss its findings
and, depending on what they are, will he also agree in principle
to any measures that better assure the outputs of Veterans
UK?
Dr Murrison
I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for his chairmanship
of the all-party parliamentary group on veterans and for the
survey that he has undertaken. I am very much looking forward to
the results of that survey. He will be aware that the MOD does a
variety of surveys and canvassing, to ensure that we are giving
our serving personnel and our veterans and their families what
they need to pursue their careers and to ensure that their lived
experience is positive. I am very much looking forward to what
his group has to say, and of course I will meet him.
(Denton and Reddish)
(Lab)
The Minister will know and appreciate that mental ill health
disproportionately affects veterans and their families. The cost
of living crisis is putting even more pressure on access to
mental health services, according to veterans’ charities. The
Labour party has committed to a £35 million investment in
veterans’ mental health. I ask this sincerely of the Minister:
will he match that?
Dr Murrison
First, I have to correct the hon. Gentleman. He is not right to
say that veterans, or indeed defence personnel, are more likely
than the general public to suffer from mental health problems.
The reverse is the case. However, it is absolutely essential that
we do all in our power to promote the mental health of our men
and women. That is absolutely right, and he will be aware of a
number of projects, including Op Courage and throughout peoples’
careers, to promote their mental health. We will continue to do
that, but he needs to understand that defence is a positive
experience for the vast majority of people who experience it.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Luton South) (Lab)
The initial headline findings of the independent review of the
armed forces compensation scheme state that
“the process is overly burdensome and even distressing for the
claimant due to unreasonable timeframes and a lack of
transparency.”
That is but one of a number of concerns raised about the
compensation scheme, all of which veterans across the country
have been telling us about for a long time. Veterans, who have
made huge sacrifices to keep our country safe, deserve far better
from this Government. Can the Minister tell the House when the
full report will be published and what he is doing to ensure its
findings will be acted upon swiftly?
Dr Murrison
The hon. Lady is referring to the quinquennial review, which has
published its interim findings and will publish its definitive
report in the spring. She is right to highlight some of the
findings of that report in its interim form, and of course we
will take into account all of those—[Interruption.]If the hon.
Lady will allow me, we will take into account all of those in the
spring, when the report is published. One of those things is to
ensure that the system is less adversarial than it has previously
been, but we have to understand that a lot of the delay is baked
in because of the need to obtain proper, full, comprehensive
medical reports.
Type 32 Class Frigate
(Gainsborough) (Con)
10. What progress his Department has made on the development of
the Type 32 class frigate. (903339)
The Minister for Defence Procurement ()
The Type 32 programme began the concept phase on 21 September
2022 and will seek to deliver an outline business case in spring
2024. The programme and procurement strategy will be decided
following the concept phase, in the normal way.
Further to the earlier exchange between the Secretary of State
and the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Islwyn (), can the Minister confirm
that, although this Type 32, so called, will not, as I understand
it, come on stream until 2030, the Government are fully committed
to having an ongoing warship programme and that, whether we call
it the 31A, the 32 or whatever, we remain committed to renewing
the Royal Navy’s capability after 2030?
Yes, and last week I had the pleasure of being in Rosyth, where
steel was being cut in respect of the Type 31, which is an
affordable frigate that can be configured for the mission,
whether that is a humanitarian mission, a war-fighting mission or
an anti-piracy mission. That flexibility is exactly what we want
from our frigates, and we want them to ensure that there is a
pipeline into the future.
Ukraine: International Response
(Newcastle-under-Lyme)
(Con)
11. What steps his Department is taking to progress the
international response to Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine.(903340)
The Minister for Armed Forces ()
The UK, our allies and partners are responding decisively to
provide military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The UK
has led the world with the gifting of modern main battle tanks to
Ukraine, and we are engaging international partners through a
co-ordinated military and diplomatic effort. My right hon. Friend
the Secretary of State for Defence should take some personal
credit for that, because at every turn throughout the past year
he has sought to understand what the Ukrainians would need next
and rallied support across Europe and beyond in that gifting.
I concur with my right hon. Friend that we have shown the way on
Ukraine. We have consistently been at the forefront. He mentioned
battle tanks; it was our announcement that set the precedent that
enabled our allies to make their announcements last week. In the
same vein, will my right hon. Friend confirm that we will
continue to lead the way on support for Ukraine by pushing our
allies to match our commitment to send as much, or more, military
aid to Ukraine this year as we sent last year?
The Government have already committed the same amount of money
for this year as it did for last year, so in that sense the job
is already done. Of course, how this year’s money is used will
depend very much on what is going on on the ground. That is the
most important part of the gifting programme. The relationship
between the UK and Ukraine is now so strong that we are able to
discuss very candidly each other’s plans and make sure that we
support Ukraine every step of the way.
Dame (Llanelli) (Lab)
We heard before Christmas that the Government had finally signed
a contract to replenish NLAWs—next-generation light anti-tank
weapons—but, in order to ensure that we can continue to be a
leader in the international effort in Ukraine, how many other
contracts have been signed to replace the consumable military aid
that has been sent to Ukraine?
High-velocity missiles have already been placed on contract. Many
of the other systems that have been donated were already in the
process of being updated and were gifted when they were coming to
the end of their life within our current inventory, and thus
would not be expected to be placed on contract because they are
part of a routine procurement process.
Mr Speaker
I call the SNP spokesperson.
(Angus) (SNP)
Much of the international support that is going to Ukraine will
be deployed to defend Ukrainians against the barbarity of the
Wagner Group private militia. Will the Minister explain to the
UK’s allies why the UK Government made available the frozen
assets of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in order that he
could take out a case against a British journalist? Given this
inexplicable accommodation, will the Minister confirm whether
this Tory Government roll out the red carpet exclusively for
Russian warlords? Or is it an inclusive UK service, available to
war criminals everywhere?
The presence of Wagner on the frontline in the Donbas is clearly
a reflection of just how bad things have got for Putin and the
Russian armed forces—so bad that a mercenary group that recruits
from prisons is required. As for the substantive part of the hon.
Gentleman’s question, it sounds like that might be a question for
my Treasury colleagues; I will make sure that they write to him
with an answer.
Defence Technology
(Buckingham) (Con)
12. What steps his Department is taking to develop innovative
defence technology.(903341)
(Grantham and Stamford)
(Con)
18. What steps his Department is taking to develop innovative
defence technology.(903347)
(South Basildon and East
Thurrock) (Con)
20. What steps his Department is taking to develop innovative
defence technology.(903349)
The Minister for Defence Procurement ()
The Ministry of Defence works closely with British industry and
academia, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to
identify and invest in innovative technologies that address our
most pressing capability challenges, as well as publishing our
future priorities to incentivise investment. We are already
testing and deploying these technologies.
The best innovation is not necessarily the preserve of the giant
players in the sector but can be found among smaller enterprises
such as those at the Westcott Venture Park in my constituency,
including Flare Bright’s development of autonomous drones for
flight in global navigation satellite system-denied areas. Will
my hon. and learned Friend assure me that when it comes to the
development of new defence innovations, such smaller, dynamic
enterprises are as valued to his Department as the more
traditional big beasts?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: a lot of innovation does
indeed come from agile SMEs, which is why the MOD’s SME action
plan is firmly aimed at improving access for SMEs to work right
through the defence supply chain. Indeed, the MOD has a target
that 25% of its procurement spend will go directly and indirectly
to SMEs—that is up from around 16% in 2016. The latest figures I
have seen show that we are at 23% already. We are on the right
path but there is further to go.
The Tempest fighter jet and the Challenger 3 are examples of the
Government’s commitment to giving our forces good-quality
equipment. Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that we must
also prioritise the wellbeing of our personnel? One way to do
that is to ensure that the quality of their food matches the
calibre of their kit.
My hon. Friend is of course absolutely right. Ensuring that our
service personnel receive good-quality meals is a vital
contribution to defence capability, which is why the Ministry of
Defence has established a team of subject-matter experts to
overhaul and modernise the delivery of defence catering using the
findings of the “Delivering Defence Dining Quality” review and
the ongoing Army Eats trials to inform change to the total food
offer. The trials began in 2020 and the results are expected
imminently. They will inform the future of dining for
defence.
Mr Speaker
That was served up well!
If we want to keep our country safe we need to work with our
allies to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the latest
developments in defence technology. Will my hon. and learned
Friend confirm that our new partnership with Japan and Italy will
involve collaborating in areas such as weapons and unmanned
aerial vehicles, and not just on fighter jets?
The ambition of this truly international programme is principally
to deliver a cutting-edge fighter aircraft, providing a credible
deterrent to future threats. As my hon. Friend knows, this is a
system of systems, and it is likely to include uncrewed aircraft,
new sensors, weapons, advanced data systems and secure networks.
Those wider capabilities may be developed together with our wider
partners, or with our existing partners in that endeavour. We
will continue to explore system opportunities between both our
core partnership and more widely.
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Ind)
Following the recent memorandum of understanding signed by the
Royal Air Force and Imperial College London, how do Ministers
expect that will impact on the RAF’s technological capabilities,
particularly around digital and artificial intelligence?
Digital and artificial intelligence are central to RAF
capability. I was delighted recently to announce that significant
investment has taken place in Lincolnshire to ensure that when
those aircraft take to the skies, they have the weapons systems
but also the battlefield management plans that they require to
ensure that they can take the fight to the enemy.
Chinese Armed Forces Training
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(LD)
13. What steps he is taking to prevent former UK armed forces
personnel from providing training to the Chinese armed forces.
(903342)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
The National Security Bill contains provisions that will help in
prosecuting those who use their knowledge and expertise to train
foreign militaries prejudicial to the interests of the UK. In the
meantime, while the Bill passes through this House and the other
place, we have issued guidance to all defence personnel at risk,
and reminded personnel of their obligations to protect sensitive
information. That has led to improved reporting of suspicious
activity.
I thank the Secretary of State for that helpful response.
Qualified RAF pilots are quitting for better paid jobs that
involve training the air forces of other countries, and
fixed-wing aircraft have dropped by nearly a quarter since 2017.
We learned last week that all the RAF’s Hawk jet trainer aircraft
have been grounded because of an engine issue. Given that the
Government will be in the High Court tomorrow in an effort to
justify supplying arms for use in the war in Yemen, what does the
Secretary of State have to say to MPs across the House who are
concerned about the deployment of RAF personnel to Saudi Arabia
in the last couple of months to train the Royal Saudi air
force?
Mr Wallace
I have absolutely no problem with supporting our friend and ally
in the region, Saudi Arabia. We have done it for decades, and
will continue to do so.
Topical Questions
(City of Durham) (Lab)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities.(903353)
The Secretary of State for Defence ( )
Colleagues may have read reports this weekend about activity
conducted by the Army’s counter-disinformation unit in 77th
Brigade. Online disinformation from foreign state actors is a
serious threat to the United Kingdom. That is why during the
pandemic we brought together expertise from across Government to
monitor disinformation about covid. The 77th Brigade is a hybrid
unit of regular and reserve personnel that was established in
2015. It delivers information activities as part of broader
military effects against hostile state actors and violent
extremist organisations based outside the UK. It uses publicly
available data, including material shared on social media
platforms, to assess UK disinformation trends. It is not to be
involved in regulating, policing or even reporting opinion that
it may or may not agree with.
My constituent, Daniel, was medically discharged from the Army in
2015, yet in September 2022 he was awarded only tariff-10
compensation. He is housebound and fully reliant on his mother,
and psychiatrists agree that sadly his condition is permanent.
Seven years on, Daniel is still without compensation that
reflects the severity of his mental injury. Will the Secretary of
State meet me to review that case, and ensure that veterans who
suffer psychological injuries are compensated equally with those
who suffer physical injuries?
Mr Wallace
I would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady to discuss the
case.
(Witney) (Con)
T5. I have recently been to see some of the RAF housing in
Carterton. Given the mould in homes with children present and the
fact that requested repairs are left uncompleted, it sems that
the Pinnacle-VIVO partnership is failing military families. What
are Ministers doing to hold those companies to
account?(903359)
The Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families
( )
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that. I know Brize
quite well and the accommodation that he referred to. He may be
aware that all top level budgets are meant to be assessing their
accommodation against the Defence housing standard and will
report by the end of the year. In the meantime, he should know
that over the next 10 years £1.6 billion will be invested in
barracks accommodation to improve some of the truly awful
accommodation that, sadly, our men and women have to put up
with.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Wentworth and Dearne)
(Lab)
This month, the Government made important but, again, ad hoc
announcements of more military help for Ukraine. We are still
waiting for the 2023 action plan of support for Ukraine first
promised by the Defence Secretary last August. Will he publish
that ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion next
month?
Mr Wallace
I totally agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we need to set
out a plan. But may I also tell him —I chased this in advance of
today’s questions following the previous questions—that our
donations are not ad hoc? There is a view abroad that they are
somehow ad hoc, with the Ukrainians just picking up the
telephone. Fundamentally, the donations are set by what happens
on the ground, the reaction to Ukrainian defence and how Ukraine
needs to adapt. It is not an ad hoc thing; it is a deliberate
process, mainly co-ordinated by the United Kingdom and her
allies. It is really important to separate that from an overall
strategy about announcing to Parliament the different lines of
effort that we take to counter Russia.
Last week, the Defence Secretary said that the armed forces had
faced a
“consistent hollowing out…under Labour and the early Conservative
governments”.
However, when Labour left government in 2010, the British Army
stood at more than 100,000 full-time troops and we were spending
2.5% of GDP on defence. The serious hollowing out has happened
since. Who does he think has been in charge over the last 13
years?
Mr Wallace
Mr Speaker, you have only to listen to the veterans on the
Government Benches to understand their experience under a Labour
Government. Let us remember Snatch Land Rovers and all that awful
mess as a result of the Labour Government’s investment. The deal
here is quite simple: if the right hon. Gentleman wants to be the
next Defence Secretary, he should come here and get off his chest
the shortcomings of his former Government. I am happy to say that
we have hollowed out and underfunded. Will he do the same, or
will he hide behind petty party politics?
(Aylesbury) (Con)
T6. Last week, I visited His Majesty’s naval base Clyde with the
armed forces parliamentary scheme. I pay tribute to the
remarkable men and women we met there who make up our nation’s
submarine service. Given that we live in ever more dangerous
times, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the Conservative
Government remain committed to delivery of the new Dreadnought
class of submarines to be based in Scotland to provide a
continuous at-sea deterrent and so protect our United Kingdom for
decades?(903360)
The Minister for Armed Forces ()
I am glad that my hon. Friend and many other colleagues went to
Faslane last week and enjoyed their visit. We are of course
committed to the replacement of Vanguard submarines with
Dreadnought. More importantly, he mentioned the brilliant people
based at Faslane who deliver day in, day out our nation’s nuclear
deterrent, unseen under the oceans of the world. They are
incredible people doing amazing work.
(Nottingham North)
(Lab/Co-op)
T2. It is surely right that non-UK veterans who settle here after
their service do not pay visa fees, but it is surely not right
that that does not extend to their dependents. Will the Minister
match Labour’s commitment to change that?(903354)
Dr Murrison
I cannot give the hon. Gentleman the undertaking that he asks of
me; he will understand that. Obviously, all things are kept under
review, but we clearly do value the service of those from
overseas who serve in His Majesty’s armed forces, and I think
that most of them have a very positive experience.
(North Norfolk) (Con)
T8. We ought to be extremely proud of the Government’s impact. We
are the second-largest supplier in the entire world of military
equipment to the Ukrainians, second only to the United States of
America. Today, we have our troops training Ukrainian troops on
how to use Challenger 2 tanks. When will those be deployed on to
the battlefield so that we can start to see them having a serious
impact in bringing this heinous war to an end?(903362)
Mr Wallace
Obviously, for security reasons, I cannot tell my hon. Friend
exactly the timings. It starts with training on the operation of
the platforms and then there is training on joining together with
formation units to fight as a formed unit—that is important. From
then, the tanks will be put in. What I can say is that it will be
this side of the summer—May, or probably towards Easter time.
(Weaver Vale) (Lab)
T3. Some 45% of Cheshire military personnel—220 of them—are
living in the lowest standard of single accommodation. That is
pretty shameful, and something needs to happen about it quite
urgently. How will the Minister ensure that they have homes that
are genuinely fit for heroes?(903355)
Dr Murrison
Some 97% of Ministry of Defence service family accommodation
meets or exceeds the Government housing standard. That is better
than most local authorities and better than most registered
social landlords. The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know—I
looked this up earlier—that 105 homes owned by his
Labour-controlled local authority are below the decent homes
standard. I suggest that he takes that up with his council.
(Rushcliffe) (Con)
I am sure that the Minister will join me in thanking the
wonderful team at the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre,
based in Rushcliffe, for their amazing work treating injured
members of our armed forces. What assessment has he made of how
the expertise and cutting-edge technology at the centre could be
shared with our Ukrainian allies to help to rehabilitate
Ukrainian heroes who have been injured on the frontline?
Dr Murrison
As it happens, last Monday I visited the Defence Medical
Rehabilitation Centre. I also heard about the NHS-led National
Rehabilitation Centre, which will hopefully be stood up by the
end of next year: together, they will be able to provide a truly
trailblazing international centre for rehabilitation and
research. Obviously, this country stands by to help Ukraine in
its fight against Putin in any way possible, including in the
rehabilitation of its brave men who have given so much not only
in defence of Ukraine, but in defence of the rest of us.
(Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
T4. Labour’s dossier on waste in the MOD found that at least £15
billion of taxpayers’ money has been wasted since 2010. Can the
Secretary of State explain why the Government are failing to get
a grip on the defence procurement process and secure value for
money for the taxpayer?(903357)
Mr Wallace
It is a really wonderful dossier, as far as dodgy ones go,
because half the waste in it was under a Labour Government.
Sir (New Forest East) (Con)
Will the Secretary of State join me in applauding Poland’s
historic announcement today that it is raising its defence budget
to 4% of GDP? Can he imagine what conclusion I think our
Government ought to draw from that example?
Mr Wallace
My right hon. Friend always tempts me. I think the Poles who are
on the frontline have shown tremendous leadership in the face of
Russia’s growing aggression, not only to their country itself but
to its neighbours and friends in Ukraine. I think the conclusion
that they have drawn is that the world is a dangerous, unstable
place and is not likely to get any less so any time soon.
(Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)
T7. The call for evidence for the LGBT veterans independent
review revealed that the police records of veterans convicted
during the ban on homosexuality were destroyed. In answer to
parliamentary questions, the Department says that that was “in
line with data protection”. However, in letters to veterans, it
says: “This decision was taken by the Defence Police Chiefs
council, who directed that all investigations into…offences
relating solely to sexuality…were to be removed from our systems
and deleted from the records”. Will the Secretary of State or a
Minister write to me to clarify the point? Will they consider
making records of meetings of the defence police chiefs council
public?(903361)
Dr Murrison
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising the matter. There
is no question but that between 1967 and 2000, people in the LGBT
community were badly dealt with by Defence. That is why we have
set up the Etherton review, which will report shortly. Having met
, I can tell the hon.
Gentleman that he will be forensic in his examination of the
data. I think I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the handling
of records, as far as we can tell, was carried out in accordance
with civilian practice, but of course we will stand by and wait
for his lordship to opine on the matter. We will comment further
when he has done so.
(Cannock Chase) (Con)
Will my right hon. Friend set out what preparations his
Department has made for supporting overseas territories in the
Caribbean during this year’s hurricane season?
I enjoyed working with my right hon. Friend when she was Minister
for the Overseas Territories. She is right to care about the
matter. She will know that the Department has done a lot of work
over the past few years to develop the resilience of the overseas
territories, as well as maintaining naval assets in the region
and more at-readiness to assist if required.
Mr Speaker
Maybe a permanent base in the overseas territories would
help.
(Bradford South) (Lab)
During my recent visit to Ukraine with the right hon. Member for
Chingford and Woodford Green ( ), Ukrainian officials
were clear about their need for increased military support. Given
that the United States is reportedly discussing the creation of a
fighter jet coalition with Ukraine, and given that the German
Chancellor is currently ruling out sending fighter jets to
Ukraine, what assessment have the Government made in respect of
building such a coalition with our NATO allies?
Mr Wallace
Since we took on the battle over getting tanks to Ukraine, people
are understandably asking what will be the next capability. What
we know about all these demands is that the initial response is
no, but the eventual response is yes. We will track the progress,
but, as I have said, it is not ad hoc; it is based on need and on
defining what is needed on the battlefield. We will of course
keep our minds open all the time about what it is possible to do
next.
Dame (Gosport) (Con)
I warmly welcome the announcement of £1.6 billion for the repair
and refurbishment of on-site base accommodation. As the Minister
has rightly said, the accommodation in both HMS Sultan and HMS
Collingwood is truly awful. Meanwhile, we hear that in the
Portsmouth area alone, the Royal Navy is spending millions of
pounds a year on putting people up in hotels, while Fort
Blockhouse, in my constituency—which the Minister knows very
well—remains empty. When will the MOD address this?
Dr Murrison
I am aware that my hon. Friend knows Fort Blockhouse intimately,
as indeed do I. It is aesthetically charming, but it is beyond
reasonable repair when it comes to accommodating servicemen and
women. We are spending money on HMS Collingwood, and I hope that
it will be brought up to spec shortly.
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
A week from today a constituent of mine, Samantha O’Neill—a
veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan—is due to be made
homeless from a hostel by City of York Council, which is a
signatory to the armed forces covenant. What steps can the
Minister take to ensure that she and her three children are not
homeless a week from today?
Dr Murrison
Obviously I cannot comment on a specific case when I do not have
the details, but if the hon. Lady will send them to me, I will
certainly look into them. Every local authority that signed up to
the armed forces covenant needs to be mindful of its duty to look
after servicemen, servicewomen and their families.
(Wrexham) (Con)
The charity Salute Her has reported that 133 women—a third of its
caseload —presented themselves to it last year having suffered a
sexual assault. They also presented themselves to defence
community mental health services, but were subsequently
discharged from the military owing to their having a personality
disorder. I wrote to the Minister asking for further information,
but none was available. Will the Minister look into the service
to ensure that due clinical rigour is applied before people are
discharged with a personality disorder?
Dr Murrison
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and predecessor. I see no
evidence that people are being misdiagnosed or mismanaged. This
is, of course, a matter for healthcare professionals and
consultant psychiatrists in particular, and I cannot really
interfere with their diagnoses, but I have noted my hon. Friend’s
concerns, and I will certainly look into the issue.
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
Does the Secretary of State agree that what we have learnt from
Ukraine is that the future of good defence will lie in having the
latest technology and innovation? Are there any new schemes we
could have that would increase investment in that new technology,
especially involving partnerships with other countries across
NATO?
Mr Wallace
I am delighted that we share the European headquarters of the
defence innovation accelerator for the north Atlantic, or DIANA—a
unit within NATO—with Estonia. I felt that it was important to
partner with a small, innovative country to ensure that we get
the very best between us. Our research and development budget is
£6.6 billion, and we are one of the leaders in Government in
investing it. However, the real lesson—this has always been a
problem—is that it is important not only to invest in the
inventions, but to pull that into what is actually required. That
is traditionally where defence has fallen down, but I am
determined to fix it, which means focusing R&D where we know
there is a need in our armed services.
(East Devon) (Con)
Many veterans in my constituency tell me that they sometimes
struggle to adapt from frontline service to the jobs that are
available locally. It is a huge change, and the scars of service
can be challenging. Can my right hon. Friend provide an update on
the work of the defence transition service, which helps veterans
to get into good, well-paid jobs?
Dr Murrison
My hon. Friend may be referring to the career transition
partnership, which is normally used for people making the
transition to civilian life. The defence transition service is
for those who have sustained an injury or illness. It is designed
to ensure that people have the support that they need in order to
adapt to their particular circumstances, and that they have the
best possible chance of getting a decent civilian job after they
leave the services. It is very successful in what it does, as is
the career transition partnership.
(Southend West) (Con)
A recent news report detailing 14,500 urgent maintenance
appointments in armed forces homes being missed is very
concerning. Will my right hon. Friend reassure my constituents
and me that he is taking every step to ensure that all our
soldiers can live in good-quality homes?
Dr Murrison
Absolutely. It is the top priority for me, the Secretary of State
and Minister for Defence Procurement. We must bear in mind that
97% of those houses are above the Government housing
standards—better than most councils and registered social
landlords. But we must do better, and we are bending ourselves to
that task.
(North Devon) (Con)
Can the Minister confirm that UK operational sovereignty will be
a factor in increment 1A of the maritime electronic warfare
programme? Will he meet me to discuss that?
The Minister for Defence Procurement ()
I will write to my hon. Friend on that important question.
(Haltemprice and Howden)
(Con)
The Secretary of State referred to the allegations in the weekend
press about 77th Brigade. I know him well enough to know that
when he told us that he gave clear instructions and guidelines to
the brigade, which operates only against foreign powers and
extremists, he was telling the exact truth. However, will he
review the issue and ensure that his guidelines have been
followed in all cases?
Mr Wallace
I thank my right hon. Friend for the compliment. I have already
instructed that we not only look into the story but check that
the instructions that I issued after a visit were carried out.
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