Extracts from Topical Defence questions - Mar 5

Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP): The National Audit Office has revealed that the cost of the Dreadnought and Astute programmes has now risen by nearly £1 billion. Can the Secretary of State confirm that there will be no further cuts to conventional forces to meet the rising costs of Trident? [904184]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Guto Bebb): I can assure the hon. Lady that our at-sea continuous nuclear defence programme is within budget, and there will be no impact on the rest of the defence budget as a result of the work that we are doing in relation to our submarine capability.

Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): Why has the mechanised infantry vehicle programme not got an acquisitions strategy—never mind that the contract has only three years to go—when it could bring mechanised vehicles back to Newcastle?

Guto Bebb: I can assure the hon. Lady that announcements will be made before the end of the financial year.