Reserve Centres Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Royton)
(Lab/Co-op) 1. What discussions he has had with local
authorities and the devolved Administrations on reserve centre
closures; and if he will make a statement. [900293] The Minister of
State, Ministry of Defence (Mark Lancaster) At the first
Defence questions of the new Parliament, may I...Request free trial
Reserve Centres
-
(Oldham West and Royton)
(Lab/Co-op)
1. What discussions he has had with local authorities and
the devolved Administrations on reserve centre closures;
and if he will make a statement. [900293]
-
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mark
Lancaster)
At the first Defence questions of the new Parliament, may I
remind the House of my interest, namely that I am in my
29th year of service in the Army Reserve?
The Ministry of Defence regularly holds discussions with
local authorities and the devolved Administrations on
reserves. That includes engaging with all stakeholders on
sites that are earmarked for closure or for the
establishment of new reserve units. The release of sites no
longer required by the Ministry of Defence will free up
land for new housing and raise money to reinvest in our
armed forces.
-
Like the Minister, my father was a Territorial Army
reservist, so I know the importance of the reserve. Would
it not make more sense, rather than jumping to a closure
and then contacting the devolved Administrations, to have a
pre-consultation to make sure that where facilities are
being reviewed across the board—ambulance stations, fire
stations and so on—we have a single estates strategy for
public sector assets?
-
Of course, we do engage with local authorities to the best
of our ability, but no final decisions have been made in
the Army Reserve Refine programme. It would therefore be
premature to engage with local authorities to say which, if
any, Army Reserve centres are closing. However, that piece
of work on the reserves brings good news as well, so I am
delighted to take this opportunity to announce the creation
of two new infantry battalions as a result of it: 4th
Battalion the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, whose
headquarters will be at Redhill, and 8 Rifles Battalion,
whose headquarters will be at Bishop Auckland.
-
Mr (Sutton
Coldfield) (Con)
May I offer my hon. Friend very warm congratulations on his
promotion to Minister for the armed forces? As a
distinguished and senior officer in the reserve, is he not
perfectly placed to make decisions on reserve centre
closures?
-
I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend for his warm
words. As his former Parliamentary Private Secretary at the
Department for International Development, I know only too
well of his contribution to the comprehensive approach
during his tenure there. It is rare as a Minister to be
appointed to a Department one actually knows something
about. On that basis, I am delighted to be here. It is
great to be in this position and I hope to use any
experience I have.
-
(West
Dunbartonshire) (SNP)
May I, too, congratulate the Minister on seemingly knowing
what he is talking about?
In recent days I became aware, via the office of the deputy
lord lieutenant of the county of Dunbartonshire that he had
informed the provost of West Dunbartonshire, as the local
government’s civic leader, that armed forces veterans’ day
would not take place due to there being no capacity in the
armed forces to deliver it. As the Member of Parliament for
West Dunbartonshire, it gives me grave cause for concern
that veterans in local families in West Dunbartonshire,
including those in my own family who have served, will not
be given the appropriate thanks by their local community.
Will the Minister, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence,
advise me and other Members of the House whose local
communities may have been unable to hold veterans’ day that
this will not happen again?
-
Armed Forces Day has become quite a success, so I am
disappointed to hear what the hon. Gentleman says. I
visited Bangor in Northern Ireland and my colleagues have
visited other places in the United Kingdom. The Armed
Forces Day centring on Liverpool this year was a particular
success. However, I am concerned by what he says and would
like to think that all our units, whether Army Reserve
units, Regular units or cadet forces, will do whatever they
can to support Armed Forces Day. I will certainly look into
what he has said.
-
(Beckenham)
(Con)
Does the Minister agree that a crucial criterion when
considering dismissing or abandoning reserve centres is to
ensure that our reserve centres are as close as possible to
the reserve soldiers who will man them, so that they do not
have to travel far?
-
Of course, our reserves have become very much a success
over recent years. Over the last year, some 5,000 extra
reserves were recruited—an increase of some 5% on the Army
Reserve of 2016. One of the great challenges we face is to
ensure that the footprint is equal across the country. That
is why the Army Reserve Refine piece of work that is going
on is so important. One of the principal aims is to ensure
that the footprint is even across the country.
-
(Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
Abertillery in my constituency is home to the 211 Battery,
which has the reserve’s only unmanned air systems
operators. I understand that the Department is scrapping
the Black Hornet unmanned aerial vehicle, but is still
using the Desert Hawk model. Will that have an impact on
the successful and popular Blaenau Gwent-based unit?
-
As I said earlier, I think that the reserves Refine piece
is overwhelmingly a success story. I am sorry that I am not
currently in a position to give the House the final
details, but I will go out of my way to ensure that all
Members are informed in advance of any changes in their
local units.
-
(North Wiltshire)
(Con)
My hon. and gallant Friend has referred to a footprint for
the reserve forces. That is terribly important, because, as
was pointed out by my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham
(Bob Stewart), they have to live near their bases. Reserve
centres are also very useful as the outward face of the
British Army throughout the nation where there is not
otherwise any military presence. They are often co-located
with, for instance, cadet battalions, and they have a huge
usefulness quite apart from their military usefulness. Does
it not concern my hon. Friend that what he described as a
footprint may become a toehold?
-
I am quite confident that at the end of the reserves Refine
process, the footprint will still be substantial across the
United Kingdom. We are not considering major closures
across the UK, and I would hate to imply that that is the
correct impression. Indeed, today I announced the creation
of two new reserve units. I think that, as we continue to
increase the size of our reserves, the story is a positive
one.
NATO: Estonia and Poland
-
(Tonbridge and Malling)
(Con)
2. What contribution the Government are making to NATO’s
reassurance measures in Estonia and Poland. [900294]
-
(Shrewsbury and
Atcham) (Con)
6. What contribution the Government are making to NATO’s
reassurance measures in Estonia and Poland. [900298]
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
The United Kingdom is supporting NATO’s enhanced Forward
Presence, which is designed to defend our allies and deter
our adversaries. About 800 UK personnel based on armoured
infantry form the core of our battlegroup in Estonia. In
Poland, a British reconnaissance squadron is part of the
US-led battlegroup. Both deployments are defensive but
combat-capable.
-
I am sure that my right hon. Friend welcomed, as I did, the
congressional vote that renewed the United States’
commitment to article 5. Will my right hon. Friend say a
little about Britain’s commitment to it, particularly in
relation to units such as the Estonian armed forces,
alongside whom I—and many other Members—had the privilege
to serve in, for instance, Afghanistan?
-
Sir
It is good that both Congress and, now, the President have
committed themselves to article 5, the most important
principle of NATO. In Washington on Friday, Secretary
Mattis and I agreed to continue our work together to
modernise NATO and give it more focus on counter-terrorism
and hybrid warfare. As my hon. Friend has said, one of the
reasons that our contribution to the enhanced Forward
Presence is based in Estonia is indeed our good experience
of working with Estonian forces in Helmand, Afghanistan.
-
Joint military exercises in the Suwalki gap are obviously
very welcome, as are rotational deployments of troops in
Poland, but when will the United Kingdom use its senior
position in NATO to press that organisation for a permanent
NATO base in eastern Poland?
-
Sir
Our defence relationship with Poland is close. Since the
beginning of 2016 I have met Minister Macierewicz at least
five times, and we aim to sign a defence treaty with Poland
later this year. NATO, of course, already has a small
permanent base in Poland, the Multinational Corps Northeast
headquarters in Szczecin, to which the United Kingdom
contributes personnel.
-
(Gedling) (Lab)
I very much support what the Defence Secretary has said
about the contribution that we are making in respect of
NATO in Estonia and Poland, but having spoken to a couple
of constituents at the weekend, I believe that the
Government, and all of us, have a job of work to do to
explain to the British public the importance of NATO and
the continuing need for us to be vigilant in eastern
Europe.
-
Sir
I absolutely agree. We need to keep restating the case for
NATO, and it is sometimes sad to see the case for it being
questioned. We must restate its importance. It was good to
hear the President reinforce that in his speech in Warsaw
on Friday, but I think that all of us in the House have a
responsibility to explain why our troops are being deployed
to Poland and Estonia, why our Typhoons are based in
Romania this summer, and why we are committing Royal Navy
ships to the standing maritime groups this year.
-
(Houghton and
Sunderland South) (Lab)
One of the biggest threats facing all NATO member states is
the growing sophistication and volume of cyber-attacks.
What collective action are the Secretary of State and his
colleagues taking to counter that threat?
-
Sir
As I said, Secretary Mattis and I have agreed that NATO
needs to prioritise its work on cyber and other forms of
hybrid warfare, which is just as important as its
conventional deployments. We are now doing that; that work
was agreed in principle at the Warsaw summit a year ago,
and we continue to urge other members to do that, too. In
addition, we have offered to put Britain’s offensive cyber
capabilities at the service of NATO, if required.
-
(New Forest East)
(Con)
These deployments are certainly defensive, as the Secretary
of State stated, but they will be represented as offensive
by the Russians. What measures are the Government taking to
keep open a line of communication with the Russians, to
make it absolutely clear to them that this would not be
happening but for their own conduct in Ukraine and
elsewhere?
-
Sir
NATO is, as my right hon. Friend knows, a defensive
alliance and these deployments are defensive in nature. It
is important in respect of Russia that we explain these
deployments and the purpose of them, and we are transparent
about the number of personnel and the units involved. To
that end, we already have machinery in place whereby our
vice-chief of the defence staff has regular discussions
with his opposite number to explain the deployments and
ensure that there is no misunderstanding about them.
-
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP)
As this is the first Defence questions of the new
Parliament, may I begin by putting on record the Scottish
National party’s welcome for the announcement on Type 26s,
and also welcome the fact that Scotland is, of course, the
only part of the UK that can build these complex ships?
On the issue of cyber, what is the Secretary of State’s
assessment of what the President of America tweeted at the
weekend on the idea of an impenetrable cyber security unit?
What would that mean for a country such as Estonia, for
NATO, and for the United Kingdom?
-
Sir
I will take for what it is the hon. Gentleman’s welcome for
Type 26, on which there is a later question on the Order
Paper. Of course, if the SNP had had its way on the nuclear
deterrent we would not be needing the Type 26 frigates at
all, because they are designed to protect a deterrent that
the SNP voted against.
We have cyber expertise in this country, as do Estonia and
other countries inside the alliance; we now need to bring
that expertise together to counter the cyber-attacks made
by our adversaries.
Former Military Personnel: Depression and Suicide
-
(Romford)
(Con)
3. What steps he is taking to reduce rates of depression
and suicide among former British military personnel.
[900295]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Tobias Ellwood)
We ask much of our brave service personnel and recognise
that service life can cause stress, so we are absolutely
committed to providing the necessary mental health and
welfare support both during the time of service and on
retirement.
-
I thank the Minister for his reply, but can he tell us more
about the Veterans’ Gateway and how it will work alongside
the young royals’ charity, the Heads Together campaign, to
support veterans with mental health problems?
-
Mr Ellwood
There are 2.5 million veterans in this country and the
majority make the transition to civilian life without a
problem, but some do not, and that is no fault of their
own. There are over 500 main charities providing support,
including the one my hon. Friend mentions. The Veterans’
Gateway is that initial portal to avoid the confusion of
where to turn to. So I welcome this initiative, and would
love to take credit for it myself, but I cannot as it was
down to my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for
Milton Keynes North (Mark Lancaster), who is now the armed
forces Minister.
-
Mr Speaker
Very good intra-office arrangements; splendid.
-
(Clwyd South)
(Lab)
We all owe a great debt of gratitude to those armed forces
charities that work so hard supporting former military
personnel facing depression and other conditions, but why
will the Government not commit to the Royal British
Legion’s “Count Them In” campaign so that the charities,
the statutory services and everyone else can know where
former military personnel live?
-
Mr Ellwood
This is down to a data issue. We are putting together a
veterans register, but there is a Data Protection Act
issue. We work with Cobseo—the confederation of service
charities—and we will be establishing a veterans’ board as
well, to make sure that we are meeting the needs of our
veterans.
-
(Plymouth, Moor View)
(Con)
LIBOR funding has been a real lifeline for many charities
across the UK, including in Plymouth, where we recently
secured £80,000 for a veterans care navigation service.
Beyond 2018 that LIBOR funding dries up, however; what
thought has the Minister given to getting veterans care on
to a sustainable model, so that we can do our duty by those
who serve?
-
Mr Ellwood
I pay tribute to the work that my hon. Friend has done in
this area. He is right to say that the LIBOR funding has
been so useful in providing sources of revenue for a number
of key projects, and we need to ensure that that continues.
I would like to highlight one of those projects, Combat
Stress, whose 24/7 phone line has been paid for by LIBOR
funds, providing an important service.
-
(Hyndburn) (Lab)
Following the question from my hon. Friend the Member for
Clwyd South (Susan Elan Jones) about voluntary groups, I
would like to mention two wonderful groups in my
constituency—the Veterans Association UK and Veterans in
Communities—that do wonderful work with ex-service
personnel. What guarantee can the Government give that they
will support such organisations in the future?
-
Mr Ellwood
These organisations play an important part in looking after
not only the transition but the veterans themselves, who
have given so much during their service life. This is part
of our covenant commitment, as the hon. Gentleman will be
aware, and I am grateful that he has mentioned those
charities. The veterans board will also help with that. All
our commitments to do with the covenant are important, but
the Veterans’ Gateway programme will ensure that such small
charities get the publicity they deserve.
-
(Aldershot) (Con)
The role of all three services of the British armed forces
in the liberation of Mosul in Iraq in recent days must be
commended. Will the Secretary of State tell me what plans
we have for further involvement in Iraq and whether he
agrees that the British Army has a crucial role in
mentoring and training the Iraqi forces, who are a hugely
important ally?
-
Mr Ellwood
I am a Minister in the Ministry of Defence rather than the
Secretary of State, but I am glad that my hon. Friend has
such confidence in me. I welcome him to his place. It was a
pleasure to join him on the 35th anniversary of the
Falklands conflict. He is right to ask what should happen
next. As we have seen so many times in various conflicts,
there has not been that important transition from
war-fighting to peacekeeping, but I know that the Secretary
of State is involved in this matter.
Common Defence and Security Policy
-
(Bristol East)
(Lab)
4. What discussions he has had with his European
counterparts on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the
UK’s participation in the Common Defence and Security
Policy. [900296]
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
While still an EU member, we will maintain our
contributions to CSDP missions and operations. The Prime
Minister has made it clear that after Brexit we want a deep
and special partnership with the European Union that
encompasses economic and security co-operation. Europe
remains our continent, and we will continue to play our
part in its security, through NATO, through our bilateral
relationships and through collaboration on defence and
research programmes.
-
I thank the Secretary of State for that response. Last
week, giving evidence in the Lords, , and all expressed concern
about the impact of Brexit on our influence in the world.
Does the Secretary of State agree with that we should be seeking
permanent membership of the EU’s Political and Security
Committee to ensure that we can lead a united response on
issues such as sanctions on Iran and that we have a united
voice on the Falklands?
-
Sir
After Brexit, we will still have the largest defence budget
and the largest navy in Europe. We have a range of assets
and capabilities on which other countries in Europe will
want to continue to work with us. So far as foreign policy
is concerned, we have not yet got to the point in the
negotiations of sorting out exactly what the relationship
will be, but let me assure the hon. Lady that I expect to
continue our co-operation with my fellow Defence Ministers.
-
(Filton and Bradley
Stoke) (Con)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be far better
for our European friends to focus on their NATO membership
and their commitment to defence spending of 2% of their
GDP, rather than trying to create some sort of bogus EU
defence force?
-
Sir
We all agreed—it was not just Britain—at the time of the
Warsaw summit that the European Union and NATO needed to
work together to avoid unnecessary duplication. We agreed
to co-operate in areas where both could add value but to
avoid the need to set up fancy new headquarters and
duplicate what was already being done in NATO.
-
(Leeds North East) (Lab)
The European Defence Agency supports the improvement of
defence capabilities and provides a forum for European
co-operation on research and development. Will the
Secretary of State be recommending that we remain a member
of the EDA? If not, will he explain what our relationship
with it will be, post-Brexit?
-
Sir
The European Defence Agency is an important forum, but it
is not the only forum in which collaboration takes place.
Some of that collaboration is outside the treaty, including
some of the work that we have done together on Typhoon and
on other major equipment projects. Obviously we expect to
have some kind of relationship with the European Defence
Agency after Brexit, and that will be discussed in the
negotiating process that awaits us.
-
(Crawley) (Con)
I am pleased to hear my right hon. Friend state that NATO
is the cornerstone of our defence alliance. Will he assure
me that the pan-European co-operation of defence
contractors, such as Thales in my constituency, will
continue?
-
Sir
Yes. Several important companies, such as Thales, Leonardo,
Airbus and so on, are based both in Europe and in the
United Kingdom, and it is important to ensure that their
investment and employment here is fully taken into account
after Brexit.
Service Accommodation
-
(Peterborough)
(Lab)
5. What discussions he had with contractors on their
delivery of service accommodation; and if he will make a
statement. [900297]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Tobias Ellwood)
The national housing prime contractor is CarillionAmey and,
with support from the MOD, performance levels for service
accommodation have been met and sustained. Both
organisations meet monthly to review performance, and the
Department will penalise poor performance where necessary.
-
I thank the Secretary of State for his response. What
estimate has he made of the impact of renegotiating the
lease in 2021? Will the costs fall on service families?
-
Mr Ellwood
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for calling me the Secretary
of State; I hope that if enough people say that, it will
actually—[Interruption.] I should not say that. I will say,
however, that the hon. Lady raises the important issue of
ensuring that service family accommodation is up to par.
That forms part of our armed forces people proposals, which
I will be speaking more about in the House. I hope that we
will have the opportunity to review the contract in 2021,
but I hope the hon. Lady understands that negotiations will
take place and that we will we keep the House updated.
-
(North West
Leicestershire) (Con)
Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that there are
no plans to eradicate single-living accommodation for
service personnel?
-
Mr Ellwood
As far as I understand it, there are no plans to remove
single-living accommodation, which forms part of the
complex offering of service family accommodation. As we
have heard, we need to rationalise the defence estate
across the country, and we are returning officers and
personnel from the Rhine, which will require building
projects, including single-living accommodation.
-
(Merthyr Tydfil and
Rhymney) (Lab)
As we have heard, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body’s 46th
report found that there was an
“overwhelming view that the maintenance service provided by
CarillionAmey was continuing to fall well short of the
needs of Service personnel and their families.”
Service families are tired of Government platitudes, so how
bad do things have to get before the Government get a grip
on the issue?
-
Mr Ellwood
I welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place and to the
Dispatch Box. He is right to raise that issue. I have just
inherited this brief, and there has been concern about
standards, in which the Secretary of State has taken a
personal interest. We are ensuring that performance levels
are up to par, and there will be an opportunity to
renegotiate the contract in 2021.
Armed Forces Pay
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
Ministers are in regular contact with the Armed Forces Pay
Review Body as part of the annual pay round process. I gave
oral evidence to the review body last November prior to its
2017 report, and I expect to meet it again prior to its
2018 report.
-
Given that every Minister, including the Defence Secretary,
voted against lifting the pay cap, does that not prove that
their praise is more hollow words than good deeds?
-
Sir
We all want to see people in public service, including in
the armed forces, properly remunerated for what they do,
but any pay settlement must obviously take account of
taxpayers’ interests and be fair to our need to get our
deficit under control. We are advised by an independent pay
review body that, unlike some other pay review bodies, is
specifically required to look at comparability with the
civilian sector and to take account of any evidence
regarding recruitment and retention.
-
Mr (Kettering)
(Con)
At times when general employment levels rise and
unemployment levels fall, and with the continued strength
of our economy, it gets more and more difficult to recruit
and retain armed forces personnel. Will those be key
factors in the consideration of this issue?
-
Sir
My hon. Friend is right. We are competing for the best of
every generation against other sectors of the economy,
which of course are growing. The Armed Forces Pay Review
Body, in recommending a 1% pay rise in its last report,
said:
“We believe that…an increase of one per cent in base
pay…will broadly maintain pay comparability with the
civilian sector.”
-
(Cardiff South and
Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)
Further to that last question, figures released to me last
week by the Secretary of State’s Department in a written
answer show that recruitment to our infantry fell by 18% in
the last year alone. Does he not accept that not giving a
fair pay rise is having a direct impact on recruitment?
-
Sir
That is not the view of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
As I have just indicated to the House, the pay review body
believes that its settlement, recommended last year, does
maintain pay comparability with the civilian sector. Some
8,000 people joined the armed forces in the last 12 months,
but when the pay review body comes to make its
recommendation for next year, it will of course look
specifically at the evidence on recruitment and
retention—and it does that in a way that some other review
bodies are not able to do.
-
(Llanelli) (Lab)
After losing her majority at the general election, the
Prime Minister has now signalled that she is prepared to
work across the House with other parties on areas of
agreement. In that spirit, I make a constructive offer. The
Government have just introduced the Armed Forces (Flexible
Working) Bill in the other place. If the Government agree
to amend the Bill to include a real-terms pay rise for our
armed forces personnel, they can count on Labour’s support,
so will they agree to work with us to give our armed forces
the pay award they deserve?
-
Sir
We all want to see our armed forces properly remunerated
for the service they give us, but it is also incumbent on
the hon. Lady to make it very clear how any increase she
favours would be properly paid for. That is something she
has not done and her party has not done—it certainly did
not do it at the last election. The pay review body system
is beyond party politics in this House. It is an
independent pay review body that looks at comparability
with the civilian sector, looks at the issue of retention
and recruitment and makes its recommendation, which last
year we accepted in full.
-
On the contrary, our manifesto was fully funded, and the
Government know that. They know how to raise taxes if they
need them. The fact is that the Armed Forces Pay Review
Body is severely constrained by the overall 1% cap on
public sector pay that the Government have imposed. If the
Government will not legislate for a pay rise, will the
Secretary of State at least allow the pay review body to
carry out a mid-year review and report on what our armed
forces should be receiving if the cap were not in place?
-
Sir
I am staggered that the hon. Lady thinks her manifesto was
fully costed or, indeed, fully funded. There were billions
in that manifesto that were due to be borrowed and paid for
by future generations. We have implemented the pay review
body’s recommendation in full for this financial year and,
for next year, evidence is already being acquired by the
pay review body. I will give my evidence to the pay review
body later in the year, and we will see what it recommends.
Royal Navy: Personnel
-
Mr (Basildon and
Billericay) (Con)
8. What assessment he has made of whether the Royal Navy
has sufficient personnel to operate (a) all vessels and (b)
the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. [900300]
-
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mark
Lancaster)
The Royal Navy is growing, with 400 more personnel, more
ships and new submarines. The Royal Navy remains on track
to achieve its manning levels for 2020 and will have
sufficient manpower to continue to meet all its operational
requirements. That includes ensuring that the Queen
Elizabeth class aircraft carriers can always operate safely
and effectively.
-
Mr Baron
Given concerns that we are hollowing out our armed forces’
manpower in favour of big-ticket items, what is the
Minister, and indeed the Government, doing to ensure that
we not only have the manpower to operate those big-ticket
items but the ships to protect them when at sea? Global
uncertainties abound, and over 90% of our trade is maritime
borne.
-
My hon. Friend highlights the challenges we face in
recruiting in our growing economy, and I am pleased that
the Navy’s efforts to address shortages of engineers are
beginning to show dividends, through the personnel recovery
programme. He will also be aware of our investment in
offshore patrol vessels, five of which are currently under
construction, and in the new Type 26s—we will cut steel
later this month.
-
(Stoke-on-Trent North)
(Lab)
In March 2017, total Royal Navy numbers were 710 below
their liability, and it is reported that currently only six
of our service escort platforms are at sea or fully
operational. Given that last year we had a net manpower
loss of 750, how can we be assured that we have the right
retention policies to operate all of our platforms, when
they are so desperately needed?
-
The Royal Navy is growing; I am pleased that for the first
time in a generation the establishment of the Royal Navy
will grow, by 400, as I said. I have mentioned the
personnel recovery programme, an excellent programme that
has sought to address the shortages of engineers through
apprenticeships and through affiliation with university
technical colleges. It is a long-term programme, but it is
working.
-
(Caerphilly) (Lab)
The truth is that the Royal Navy has experienced
catastrophic cuts in personnel over the past seven years
and now the chickens are coming home to roost; the Navy is
even asking 55 to 60-year-olds to rejoin on short-term
contracts. Will the Government now recognise the error of
their ways and recruit, on good wages, the personnel we
need? The Prime Minister has asked for ideas from the
Opposition, so will the Minister pass my suggestion on to
the Prime Minister?
-
With the greatest respect to the hon. Gentleman, may I say
that this seems to be a common theme when we come to the
Dispatch Box: he is always terribly negative? I am
determined to try to support our serving personnel and, as
I have tried to explain, an awful lot of effort is going in
at the moment. This really is the year of the Navy, with
more than £3 billion invested in the Royal Navy. We are
seeing two new carriers; the fourth Astute class was
launched recently; and we are seeing the contract launch
for three Type 26s. The future is bright for the Royal Navy
and I wish he would stop talking it down.
-
Mr Speaker
There is no doubting the comprehensiveness of the replies,
but if we could make slightly more timely progress, that
would be appreciated by Back Benchers.
Armed Forces Covenant
-
(Telford) (Con)
9. What steps he is taking to strengthen the armed forces
covenant. [900301]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Tobias Ellwood)
The Government are committed to ensuring that service
personnel, veterans and their families are not
disadvantaged, and that special provision is made for those
who have sacrificed the most. We will continue to use the
£10 million annual covenant fund to build partnerships that
support our military and wider society, including the
recently launched veterans gateway, which was mentioned
earlier.
-
Some councils are much more proactive than others in
supporting the armed forces covenant and in marking Armed
Forces Day. Telford’s Labour-run council has more work to
do in ensuring that warm words on a website translate into
action. What does he suggest can be done to encourage
increased participation in future?
-
Mr Ellwood
I am really upset to hear that Telford did not join the
hundreds of local authorities across the country on 24 June
to pay tribute to our armed forces. I was in Plymouth; as
we have heard, the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence,
my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Milton Keynes North
(Mark Lancaster) was in Northern Ireland; the
Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the
Member for West Worcestershire (Harriett Baldwin) was in
Woolwich; and the Secretary of State was with the Prime
Minister in Liverpool. I am not sure whether the Leader of
the Opposition was on that day. We are putting a package of
measures together to be given to all hon. Members, so that
they can talk to their local authorities and so that next
year Telford’s council will join others around the country
in paying tribute to our armed forces.
-
(Leeds West)
(Lab)
The armed forces covenant is a covenant between those who
serve on the frontline and the Government. Those serving on
the frontline have over the past six years experienced a
real-terms pay cut of about 10%, so does the Minister not
agree that that bond of trust is wearing a little thin?
-
Mr Ellwood
The Secretary of State has already answered the question on
the pay itself, but the hon. Lady is absolutely right in
what she implies: we have to make sure that we look after
our service personnel. We put them in danger and in harm’s
way, and we must look after them. Armed Forces Day is one
opportunity for the nation to show its appreciation.
-
Ms (Wealden) (Con)
The armed forces covenant covers equal access to
healthcare. While on the armed forces parliamentary scheme,
I met many veterans and serving personnel who have issues
relating to stigma and mental health. What more is being
done about that?
-
Mr Ellwood
I am pleased to be launching the new mental health strategy
at the end of the month. We are bringing together the “Five
Eyes”—New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada and
the United Kingdom—to share best practice on how best to
look after our armed forces when they move, retire and
become veterans.
-
Mrs (South Shields)
(Lab)
I am a proud patron of the veterans charity Forward Assist.
Back in March, it was promised just under £200,000 from the
tampon tax fund to help its work with female veterans, but
the money has yet to materialise. Will the Minister say why
there has been a delay and when the money will be released?
-
Mr Ellwood
I hope the hon. Lady will understand that I am not armed
with that information, but I would be more than delighted
to meet her to discuss the matter. I pay tribute to her for
the work she does to support that important charity.
Armed Forces: Life Satisfaction
-
(Darlington)
(Lab)
10. What steps his Department is taking to improve service
life satisfaction rates in the Armed Forces. [900302]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Tobias Ellwood)
The experience and morale of service personnel are central
to defence. Both the Department and the new single services
place the management of this as a high priority. As such,
we have put in place a large number of programmes, namely
the flexible engagement system—a Bill on which will come to
the House shortly—the future accommodation model, the new
joiners offer and the armed forces family strategy.
-
Currently, forces families are given special assistance by
local authorities when they leave the Army. Is the Minister
aware that, upon divorce or separation, an Army spouse is
instantly no longer classed as part of an Army family and
receives no such support? Will he look into this and
consider amending the advice given to local authorities?
-
Mr Ellwood
I am certainly happy to look into that, and I am grateful
that the hon. Lady has taken the matter up. It is important
that we get the package of measures right so that we can
support our armed forces personnel and their families as
they transition through their career.
-
(Colchester) (Con)
A key part of improving service life satisfaction is
ensuring that soldiers can get their children into a good
school that understands military life. Will the Minister
join me in congratulating Montgomery Infant School and
Nursery and Montgomery Junior School, which are celebrating
having served the military community in Colchester for 50
years?
-
Mr Ellwood
I welcome my hon. Friend to his place. Those are two
schools out of almost 500 around the country that are
located near garrisons and that provide support for the
children of armed forces personnel. It is important that
that continues. The service pupil premium is important for
making sure that we look after those pupils, particularly
as they end up moving around because of their parents’
careers.
-
(Leyton and Wanstead)
(Lab)
Would service life satisfaction rates be improved by job
security? On that basis, will the Minister assure the House
that the Army will be no smaller at the end of this
Parliament than it is now?
-
Mr Ellwood
That is absolutely the intention. The hon. Gentleman is
right to look at the life satisfaction survey, which is one
reason behind some of the initiatives that I have
mentioned, including the various reviews that are taking
place.
Defence Spending
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
Our defence budget for 2017-18 is £36 billion, and we are
committed to increasing it by at least half a per cent
above inflation every year of this Parliament. In addition,
we are committed to continuing to meet the NATO guideline
to spend at least 2% of our GDP on defence until 2022.
Those two commitments will ensure that our armed forces can
help to keep Britain safe.
-
The United Kingdom leads the way, with the biggest defence
budget in Europe, but what more can be done to encourage
other nations to play their part and increase their
spending to protect our collective security?
-
Sir
Since the Wales summit in 2014, defence spending by our
allies in Europe has been increasing. Three more countries
now meet that 2% target and more than 20 are committed to
meeting it by a particular date. We continue to press those
allies that have not yet met or planned to meet the target
to do so.
-
Mr (Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
The Secretary of State will know that his Department
recently stated that the trained strength of our armed
forces is down below 140,000. If we are to keep people in
our armed services satisfied, can we go back to what they
were proud of—the tradition of taking in a lot of trainees
and being one of the best trainers in the world?
-
Sir
We are one of the best trainers in the world, and our armed
forces training is highly respected the world over. Other
countries are constantly telling me that they want more
places at Cranwell, Sandhurst and Dartmouth; they also want
our armed forces to go out and train, as we are doing in
Ukraine and Nigeria; and we have the largest apprenticeship
programme in the country.
Dreadnought Submarines
-
Sir (New Forest West)
(Con)
12. What progress is being made on implementing the
Dreadnought submarine programme. [900304]
-
Mrs (Mid Derbyshire)
(Con)
16. What progress there has been on the programme to build
four Dreadnought submarines. [900308]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence
(Harriett Baldwin)
Thanks to the vote a year ago, the Dreadnought programme to
replace the four Vanguard-class nuclear-armed submarines is
on schedule. Construction on Dreadnought, the first of her
class, commenced as planned in October 2016 at the BAE
Systems yard in Barrow-in-Furness.
-
Sir
Will the handover from Vanguard to Dreadnought be seamless?
-
Certainly if I and the 80% of people who took part in the
vote a year ago have anything to do with it, it will be. I
gently draw the House’s attention to the fact that both the
shadow Defence Secretary and the Leader of the Opposition
voted in the opposite Lobby on that day.
-
Mr Speaker
Perhaps the right hon. Member for New Forest West (Sir
Desmond Swayne) would be good enough to circulate to all
parliamentary colleagues his textbook on succinct questions
from which they would greatly benefit.
-
Mrs Latham
The Dreadnought submarine programme is important to my
constituents, many of whom work at the Rolls-Royce
Raynesway facility which is building the pressurised water
reactors that will go into those submarines. Rolls-Royce
has been investing very heavily in the new facility to meet
the demands of this programme. When will the Government
make a decision?
-
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the fact
that companies not just in Barrow-in-Furness but up and
down this country are involved in carrying out highly
skilled work in this incredibly elaborate programme. I had
the pleasure of visiting Raynesway and her nearby
constituency and I know how many people in Derby and in
Derbyshire depend on that programme. I can assure her that
we are making substantial investment in the site.
-
(Barrow and Furness)
(Lab/Co-op)
We were looking forward to discussing this very issue with
the Minister during the general election campaign. I do not
know what happened to her; perhaps she can come up to see
us next time. Will she put the Government’s full support
behind our campaign now to raise education standards in the
Furness area where, for generations, school leavers have
had below average English and maths results, which is
simply not good enough if we are to remain on track for the
Dreadnought programme?
-
The hon. Gentleman is very kind to invite me for another
visit to his constituency. I shall look forward to it. He
rightly raises the important issue of the skills that we
need as a country for these highly skilled and important
jobs. I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Defence,
my right hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr
Ellwood), will be very happy to meet him to discuss what we
are doing as we ensure that we put in place that pipeline
of skills.
-
(Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport) (Lab/Co-op)
I welcome the investment in the Dreadnought-class
submarines, which will bring investment to Devonport
dockyard in my constituency. Does the Minister agree that
we also need to deal with the legacy of current and
previous submarines and accelerate the slow pace of the
submarine dismantling programme?
-
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman, who is the son of a
submariner, on his arrival in this place. It is wonderful
to have someone taking such a close interest in the matter.
He will be aware that it is the subject of ongoing
commercial negotiations. We will keep the House informed.
Defence Spending
-
(Bury St Edmunds)
(Con)
18. What estimate he has made of the level of defence
spending required over the course of this Parliament.
[900311]
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
The Government have committed to meeting the NATO guideline
to spend at least 2% of our GDP on defence until the end of
this Parliament, and to increase spending by at least half
a per cent ahead of inflation every year of this
Parliament.
-
Is it not the case that we only need a growing defence
budget if we are committed to leading in NATO, investing in
our armed forces and giving them the equipment they need
and maintaining our nuclear deterrent? Is it also not the
case that this party is the only one that is committed to
all three?
-
Sir
My hon. Friend is spot on. We are leading by example in
NATO. We are the second biggest defence spender in the
alliance—one of only six members spending 2%—and we are
committed to investing £178 billion in equipment between
2016 and 2026. Our growing defence budget means more ships,
more planes, more armoured vehicles and more cutting-edge
equipment for our forces.
-
Will the Secretary of State join me in welcoming the Apache
helicopter package worth £48 million to secure high-skilled
jobs at Wattisham airfield in my constituency, and does he
agree that that will help our armed forces to keep us safe,
and that it is all due to a growing defence budget?
-
Sir
Yes, I was very pleased to announce this £48 million
contract earlier this year, which will support jobs in my
hon. Friend’s area and provide world-class Apache training
for our personnel. The Apache is a vital part of the
British Army’s fighting force and this investment is only
possible thanks to a rising defence budget.
-
(Rhondda) (Lab)
The UK was a central part of the European forces in Bosnia,
Althea, and in the Mediterranean, Atalanta. Does this mean
that the Government will be committing to remain part of
such European forces in the future, after we have left the
European Union?
-
Sir
That will become clearer after we leave, but we play an
important part in Sophia, Althea and Atalanta not just
because of our membership of the European Union but because
it is in our national interest to help to deal with
migration, to curb piracy off the horn of Africa and to
help to stabilise the western Balkans.
-
Mr Speaker
On this question, I call .
-
(Henley) (Con)
15. The millions spent on technical innovation on bases
around the UK is crucial, particularly on my own base of
RAF Benson, where CAE is a big contributor. Does the
Secretary of State agree with that and what will he do to
continue it? [900307]
-
Sir
Yes, I do agree with that. That is why we have set aside a
specific innovation fund to encourage more innovation in
defence and to get more of our small and medium-sized
businesses, of which I know there are a large number in and
around my hon. Friend’s constituency, to help us find these
cutting-edge solutions.
Defence Suppliers: Innovation
-
(Amber Valley)
(Con)
14. What steps he is taking to encourage innovation by
defence suppliers. [900306]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence
(Harriett Baldwin)
With an equipment plan worth £178 billion and a rising
defence budget, there are great opportunities for
innovative suppliers. The £800 million innovation fund will
provide the Ministry of Defence with the freedom to pursue
innovative solutions in an open, competitive process.
-
Will the Minister ensure that there is greater risk
appetite in which projects are selected for funding to
ensure that our armed forces have the best technology
available to them?
-
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight this issue.
It is one of the things that we weight when we consider
awards through the innovation fund to ensure that the
projects with the highest risks but the biggest potential
pay-off are the ones that are invested in.
Topical Questions
-
(St Ives) (Con)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities. [900318]
-
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon)
It is an honour to be reappointed as Defence Secretary. Our
party has a proud record of supporting our armed forces and
providing the budget to ensure that they have the
capabilities they need. Since the election, our new
carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has sailed, Daesh has been
defeated in Mosul with further RAF strikes in Syria and
Iraq, and we have signed up Sweden and Finland to join our
joint expeditionary force, demonstrating that Britain
continues to step up in the world.
-
On that note, as the MP with RNAS Culdrose in my
constituency, may I ask the Secretary of State for an
update on airpower capability and training for the new
Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier?
-
Sir
The Queen Elizabeth is designed to operate the F-35B
Lightning II aircraft. One hundred and twenty British
pilots and aircrew are training on the first 10 of these
aircraft in the United States ahead of their arrival in the
UK next year. The carrier will also operate Royal Navy
Merlin helicopters, specifically those based in my hon.
Friend’s constituency at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.
-
(Llanelli) (Lab)
We welcome the fact that Iraqi forces, backed by the
coalition air strikes, have managed to retake Mosul, with
only a small section of the city still under Daesh control.
This has been a challenging and complex operation, and we
pay tribute to the personnel who have played a part in it,
including our forces working on Operation Shader. We know
that the battle against Daesh and its evil ideology is far
from over, so will the Secretary of State update the House
on what further support our armed forces will be providing
as Iraq’s ground troops advance westwards towards Tal Afar?
-
Sir
It is good to be able to agree with the hon. Lady about
something today, and I join her in paying tribute to our
services—the RAF, which has carried out more than 1,400
strikes in just under three years; the Army, which has
helped to train more than 50,000 Iraqi and peshmerga
troops;, and the Royal Navy, which has helped to guard the
American and French carriers when they have been striking
from the Gulf. The military campaign is not over with the
fall of Mosul. There remain other towns—Tal Afar, Hawija,
in Nineveh province—and there are remnants of Daesh
coalescing around the Middle Euphrates river valley, so
there is still more work to be done, but there are 4
million fewer people living under Daesh rule since this
House gave us permission to engage in this campaign.
-
(Wells) (Con)
T2. Further to the Secretary of State’s update on progress
against Daesh, I know that he will be as concerned as I am
that as we defeat Daesh militarily on the ground, its
threat seems to be changing as it attacks in other ways in
other places. Will he update the House on what his
Department is doing to counter those emerging new threats?
[900319]
-
Sir
My hon. Friend is right that the military campaign up the
Tigris and along the Euphrates is just part of the
strategy. We need to continue disrupting Daesh’s online
propaganda. We need to target its senior leadership and
undermine its finances. The military campaign has to be
combined, and seen as part of a broader coalition campaign
to undermine this evil organisation and make sure that it
never comes back.
-
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP)
Both the Defence and Foreign Secretaries seem to have
suggested that UK forces may target others in Syria beyond
the mandate that was given in this House in December
2015—namely, the Assad regime. Will the Secretary of State
confirm that if he is to deviate from that mandate, it will
only happen after a full debate and vote in this House?
-
Sir
I can confirm that our target in Syria is Daesh. Our
strikes are in and around Raqqa and other Daesh areas,
including Deir ez-Zor, that Daesh continues to hold. It is
not our aim to collaborate with either the regime or indeed
its principal sponsor, Russia.
-
David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con)
T7. The Royal Navy has rescued hundreds of migrants in the
Mediterranean and taken them to Italy, but has the time now
come to consider taking them to North Africa in order to
remove the incentive for people to risk their lives and to
prevent money being made by people traffickers? [900324]
-
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mark
Lancaster)
As part of Operation Sophia, the Royal Navy and UK assets
have saved more than 12,500 lives, destroyed more than 170
smuggling boats and apprehended 23 suspected smugglers. We
are the only country in Europe that has provided at least
one ship at all times. It is UK Government policy to tackle
migration at its source, and we are pursuing a
comprehensive response including training coastguards,
providing sustainable alternatives to unmanaged migration
and disrupting criminal gangs.
-
(Penistone and
Stocksbridge) (Lab)
T3. Given the delays in procuring the full order for Type
26 and Type 31 frigates, and given that HMS Ocean is to be
paid off because of acute staffing shortages, just how does
the Minister envisage that the Royal Navy will be capable
of discharging its duties of protecting the UK at home and
abroad? [900320]
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence
(Harriett Baldwin)
I would have hoped for a few more words of welcome for the
announcement of the Type 26 frigates, which will be ready
for the out-of-service dates and replacement dates of the
existing Type 23s. As the hon. Lady knows, HMS Ocean was
always due to come out of service next year, and other
amphibious capability will obviously be available.
-
(Corby) (Con)
I know from my constituency casework that access to
appropriate housing is often a big challenge for those
leaving the armed forces. What steps are being taken to
ensure that armed forces veterans are prioritised on
waiting lists, and that the appropriate help and support is
properly being provided?
-
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr
Tobias Ellwood)
We have touched on the importance of the veterans gateway
programme, which we hope will provide a connection between
the charities and those seeking that help. I also reiterate
the importance of local authorities, and encourage all hon.
Members to ask their local authorities what more they can
do to provide the support our veterans need.
-
(Barnsley Central)
(Lab)
T4. I declare an interest as a former serviceman who served
in Afghanistan.The Secretary of State will have seen the
recent coverage in The Sunday Times relating to alleged
incidents that took place in Afghanistan and the subsequent
Royal Military Police inquiry. Will he tell the House who
took the decision to shut down Operation Northmoor? Why was
that decision taken, when was it taken and was the Prime
Minister kept informed? [900321]
-
Mr Speaker
Well, it will have to be a brief answer or it may need to
be in writing. There are a lot of other questions to cover.
-
In answering, I have to declare the same interest, having
served in Afghanistan.
Our armed forces are rightly held to the highest standards,
and credible, serious allegations of criminal behaviour
must be investigated. Op Northmoor has discontinued more
than 90% of the 675 allegations received because there was
no evidence of criminal or disciplinary offence. To date,
no case has been referred to the Service Prosecuting
Authority, but investigations continue.
-
Mr Speaker
Single sentence questions are really what is required.
-
(Reigate) (Con)
Earlier, the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy)
referred to evidence that gave to the House of Lords
EU External Affairs Sub-Committee about the European
defence arrangements after Brexit. He said that the best
proposal was a paper written by the former Chair of the
Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. Has my right hon.
Friend seen that paper or would he like to?
-
Sir
I have not actually seen that paper yet, but I am very
happy to procure a copy and read it. I made the position
clear about common foreign and defence policy. We
participate in those missions and operations at the moment,
and we continue to press for a partnership with the
European Union that encompasses economic and security
co-operation.
-
(Great Grimsby)
(Lab)
T5. Recently, I attended the Grimsby veterans breakfast,
and I was told about the problems that former servicemen
and women have in accessing local mental health services.
What representations did the Defence Secretary make to the
Health Secretary regarding the dropping of the promised new
mental health Bill from the Queen’s Speech? [900322]
-
Mr Ellwood
This goes into the new strategy that is being launched in a
couple of weeks’ time, and I would be delighted to learn
more about what the hon. Lady learned at her meetings, but
I can say that regular meetings take place between the
Secretary of State and the Health Secretary.
-
(Witney) (Con)
One of the major concerns of servicemen in Carterton, which
surrounds Brize Norton in my constituency, is the quality
of service housing. What steps is the Minister taking to
provide high-quality housing for our service personnel?
-
Mr Ellwood
This relates to one of the key initiatives we are putting
forward—the future accommodation model—and I would be
delighted to write to my hon. Friend with more details.
-
(Paisley and
Renfrewshire North) (SNP)
T6. At least 603 civilians have been killed by coalition
airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of
Operation Inherent Resolve, according to the coalition
itself, but the UK has claimed responsibility for none of
these incidents. Will the Secretary of State commit to
greater scrutiny and transparency for civilian casualties
caused by UK airstrikes in Iraq and Syria? [900323]
-
Sir
Let me emphasise to the hon. Gentleman that we carry out an
assessment after each of the RAF strikes. We investigate
any allegation that civilians may have been caught up in
these strikes. So far, we have not seen any evidence that
civilians have been killed by an RAF strike, but,
obviously, every single allegation is carefully
investigated.
-
Several hon. Members rose—
-
Mr Speaker
I hope the point about a sentence has been captured by
colleagues—preferably a short one without all sorts of
subordinate clauses.
-
(Newark) (Con)
Will the Defence Secretary join me in welcoming the new
Combined Cadet Force at the Newark Academy and the Magnus
school in Newark, and agree to continue the roll-out of
cadet forces in this Parliament, particularly in schools
that have suffered from poor educational performance in the
past?
-
Mr Ellwood
Yes and yes.
-
Mr Speaker
Splendid.
-
(Torfaen)
(Lab)
T8. Given that the Royal British Legion set out in the
armed forces covenant annual report of last year its
concerns about the mental health needs of veterans not
being met as they should be, does the Secretary of State
agree that we need a comprehensive approach to veterans’
mental health, not just in the weeks after they leave the
service but throughout their lives? [900325]
-
Mr Ellwood
We are providing a comprehensive approach. There is work
that takes place, first, with those who are serving, to
provide that umbrella of support, and then as they make
their transition and, indeed, become veterans. We will be
launching the new strategy in two weeks, and I look forward
to making announcements to the House.
-
(Filton and Bradley
Stoke) (Con)
Will my hon. Friend confirm that the RAF will retain its
existing surveillance capability—Sentinel—which proved so
effective in Mali, and that the existing fleet will be
maintained and continued?
-
I can confirm that. I had the pleasure of going to north
Wales recently to extend the Sentinel contract to 2021.
-
(Linlithgow and East
Falkirk) (SNP)
T9. Will the Minister reverse the decision to shut down
Operation Northmoor, given the recent report in The Sunday
Times on possible criminal behaviour by an SAS unit in
Afghanistan? [900326]
-
It would be absolutely wrong for there to be ministerial
interference in that operation. I am quite confident that
Op Northmoor is appropriately resourced, both through
personnel and finances, and I can only refer the hon.
Gentleman to the answer I gave a few moments ago.
-
(New Forest East)
(Con)
Will the Government consider reinstating ring-fenced
funding for the BBC Monitoring Service, given that its
absence is leading to the closure of Caversham Park and a
considerable reduction in the service’s defensive
potential?
-
I am more than happy to look at the matter for my right
hon. Friend.
-
(North Ayrshire and
Arran) (SNP)
T10. Given that the UK claims to support multilateral
nuclear disarmament, will the Secretary of State tell the
House why the UK boycotted the UN’s nuclear ban treaty
negotiations and how the UK Government will respond to the
nuclear ban treaty? Can he understand the disappointment of
so many of my constituents at the UK’s boycott of these
negotiations? [900327]
-
Mr Speaker
I think the hon. Lady is in pursuit of an essay, but,
sadly, time allows only for a short answer.
-
Sir
Let me be very clear: we do not support this treaty. We do
not think it should apply to the United Kingdom, and if it is
voted on we will not accept it.
-
(Aberavon) (Lab)
What conversations has the Minister had with British steel
producers to maximise the use of British steel in the new
Type 26 frigates, and what percentage of the steel that will
be used to build those frigates will be British steel?
-
Again, I am glad that the hon. Gentleman welcomes the news on
the Type 26 frigates. He will be aware that we publish on
gov.uk the full pipeline in terms of our steel requirements.
We do encourage our prime contractors to see where they can
use British steel, and I am sure that in due course he will
be pleased to see progress.
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