Live Defence Questions House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament live coverage of from the House of

Commons. The Prime Minister will make a statement on the future of

the Armed Forces. Including details of an extra ?12 billion of spending

on equipment. They're also be two new strike rates by 2025. Statement

is also expected to set the scene for David Cameron's tries to

persuade the MPs that Britain should get involved with air strikes and

serious. After that the government will try to put the all stages of

the Northern Ireland Welfare Reform Bill. Is the latest all party built

to keep the default demonstration up-and-coming. Has support of all,

... Member to join me for the round up of the day in both houses at

11:00pm. First we have questions to the Defense Secretary Michael Fallon

and his team of ministers. First question is from Labour MP, Nick

Smith about what steps he's taken to ensure that defence industry

benefits the UK. The second question -- let's hear the question. Order!

Order! Questions of the Secretary of State for Defense. Mr Nick Smith. Mr

Speaker that should teach it to friends of security review will very

shortly set out the honourable gentleman of the House how we will

invest more and bigger and stronger defence for Britain. The British

defence industry plays a vital role in helping to deliver more planes,

ships and armour vehicles for our Armed Forces. We are looking at how

we can drive greater innovation and how we can maximise the use of SMEs

and how we can ensure the future decisions contribute to a more

dynamic and productive economy. The important armoured vehicle programme

for the Army has been in the pipeline for years. It uses Swedish

Nibert is still. We have told our specialist steel makers... When will

they ask they can produce this steel? As with all major defence

programmes the contractors determine the materials, including sourcing

still on the basis of comparative cost, time and quality. In 2010 no

UK steel manufacturers were able to meet the prime contractors

requirements so no UK supplied steel for the programme. I can confirm to

the honourable gentleman that it takes a great deal of interest in

this because Ajax vehicles will be assembled next his constituency,

some 2700 tonnes around 30% of the still requirement remains open to

competition. And our petition is already under way to suffice as a

turning armour which is open for UK firms to apply. And number of

colleagues and I visit our new magnificent aircraft carriers last

week. There some interest that we learned this morning that apparently

the government is intending to order a large number of joint shark

fighters took with not only those aircraft carriers but also the world

aircraft. I wonder if my honourable friend can confirm the truth in this

substantial increase in our fighting capability. --. He's a very

experienced member of his house. The after this defence questions we have

a statement from the Prime Minister who I'm quite sure will be able to

do that... Address the question he just posed to me? It is excellent to

welcome the Minister again last week and to make another show of the

bipartisan support we have for renewing the UK nuclear deterrent

Ada. Is a still a prospect of getting the main boat before

Christmas? -- vote. I am grateful for him for reminding the House back

on Thursday last week I accompanied him into his constituency to

recognise the signature of the contract for the fifth astute

measure. It was good to think of many of his constituents who have

been involved in the construction. With regard to the investment

decision, I think again that is a subject that will come up shortly.

Of course it is true that the defence industry can no longer

sources requirements from the UK steel energy because of a loss of

capability. Will he work with colleagues and with the defence

industry and steel producers to ensure that there is a long-term

plan for the future that UK still has developed the capabilities to

work in this industry with light of work in this industry with light of

course the Minister of defence is participating in the working group

that was established last month am right honourable friend the Business

Secretary. I have to say that while still is clearly a very significant

and important component to match defence manufacturer, all of our

major current programmes in work, the steel is involved it represents

less than 1.5% of the total of steel manufactured in this country in

2013. Relatively speaking, while important, it is a small pitcher

Victor to the total steel produced in this country. Can I welcome the

newspaper report we will see shortly that the deal is to reverse his own

decision, one of the most visible signs in 2010 with the photographs

of our materials being cut up into pieces. Can I get asked the Minister

when will the first of these interactive service? The honourable

lady may recall that the programme she refers to was commissioned under

the previous Labour government, it was over ?1 billion over budget. It

was reduced in scale under the previous Labour government to

over... In the prototype aircraft that was produced had more defects

than any other previous aircraft in production. We were not sure that it

would ever fly. Was the right decision to take at the time and I

was the right decision, the Prime Minister is about to announce it, to

have a replacement capability. We will have to hear one that will be

available. Mr Speaker, the UK has been about as vital capability for

four years as a result of right or wrong, that decision that he refers

to in 2010. Just today we read that Britain is have to call on native

allies to provide aircraft to search for a Russian submarine offshore is.

Can you give us a definite date for which he will again have our own

maritime patrol aircraft. I am sorry to support the right honourable

lady, but here we are 20 minutes to three. She has to be a little bit

more patient and see what the Prime Minister announces in his favour and

little this afternoon. I'm sure she will be there to hear the statement.

The UK respects the sovereign responsibilities of the eight Arctic

states, while promoting our own interests in the region. We engage

with the security of the region through the Arctic security forces

round table and of course directly with Arctic nations. We maintain a

naval air assets capable of deploying to the region and Arctic

trained and equipped forces including elements of re-commanding

grades. I was confirmed that the Russian spy ship had passed through

UK warders, this undermines the fact that Scotland... Will the Minister

confirm when we will see UK enables efficient three days and when will

we see the re-establishment of that? Place-mac I cannot confirm what he

asked for. And he will wait until 3:30pm he should hear some excellent

news for Scotland. There'll be no questions that they will be

treating... That will lead to stress is if we do not have it corrected.

The UK has a fantastic offer in terms of those were trained in the

region. Secondly submarines, we have not trained our submarines to work

under the Arctic ice. I am grateful for his question. He will have to

wait until 3:30pm until confirmation on the feature of our capabilities.

I have taken on board his point of under eye submarines. Perhaps I can

help the minister with a question that does not involve waiting to

3:30pm. My understanding is that a lot of our focus is on Northeast

Africa. Would you agree that... That a Russian submarine, it would be

naive to trust also take our ... Order! Can I gently implored members

to proceed a little but were quickly. We have a lot to get

through. Both questions and answers are lengthy. I really agree with the

honourable member opposite. Mr Speaker, Ayrton patrol aircraft

featured largely in last years referendum. What my honourable

friend agree with me that they are pretty pointless. Manned or unmanned

unless there is debate about gathering and analysis technology to

do with it. And the wherewithal to respond to many threats that emerge,

something the SMP felt to offer last year. -- failed. I entirely agree

with my honourable friend indeed. Indeed. Behind bars is becoming one

of the world strategic hotspot. With the Minister agree that a nation

like ours to seek the assistance with friends in Canada and keeping a

hostile submarine is embarrassing. Can he confirm that this is the

fourth time we have had to call on such assistance? The honourable

member will have to wait until 3:30pm for details. But, I will

remind him that the defence Select Committee should the governments

feel that the programme was dying. I am very glad that it will be

possible to give better news later on today. The lack of naval

capability in the high North is indeed a worry. Even at 14 months

ago... With the Secretary of State, or the Minister like to take this

opportunity to make sure that the promise that was made to them will

indeed be kept. Will be agree with me that if that promises not kept it

will be shameful. I cannot give him a detailed answer. But I can't say

that the future of Carl Wood even brighter after 3:30 p.m.. We have

just completed in the last few months of the largest far North

exercise in history. -- the future of Scotland. I would like to answer

this question with number 17. The United Kingdom is making significant

top donor contribution to the international counter Isil programme

is. And in helping to train Iraqi forces, in addition to the

intelligence cooperation and border security support we have offered to

France, the House will wish to know that I have authorised the use of

IRS... As a divergent effort for French aircraft striking in Syria.

Many of us on all sides of the awful support the government as they make

the intelligent case for extending the air campaign into serious. We

totally reject the accusation that such a movement will be a tester.

Will my right honourable friend agree that our allies, not us, our

allies will be diminishing Isil command control, restricting their

ability to move en masse and restricting their ability to take

control of more ground. Is it not time to stop subcontracting our

security to our friends. -- Syria. I agree we should not lead the fight

to French aircraft, American aircraft or Australian aircraft.

While we are working to establish a inconclusive government in the Civil

War and build more security for the Sunni areas of Syria, that should

not delay us or deter us from degrading Isil in eastern Syria,

from where they are directing their war in their region and directly

threatening us. The chief of Defense staff said that not striking Isil in

its heartland in Syria a football team trying to win a match without

injuring the oppositions half. Is a long overdue that we pitched up the

page and started to defend our goal line. -- pushed up the pitch. It

moves between both, while the world Air Force can only strike in Iraq.

It is a logical for us to be hitting Isil targets in Iraq while not

targeting Isil poor leadership, its lines of communication and it

revenue base, all found in Syria. What steps is he taking to squeeze

the supply chain of Isil. They are not just supplied by organisations

in the region, you must also be countries in establishment outside

of the region supplying Isil with those arms. Yes, we are intensifying

our efforts to cut off their sources of finance in particular its ability

to sell oil on the international market. We are also directly

targeting the supply route between Syria in Iraq,. The Democratic Union

party holds political power in all three provinces, of northern Syria.

Will the government be undertaking any communication or liaison with

the PYP as it continues to exist in the region. This is a matter

discussed recently the Prime Minister and the foreign defence

minister of Turkey. We will want to see the pushback from that border

and the pocket between the two of the Kurdish areas. Let me emphasise

that all parties in Syria, Kurds, Shia, Sunni, Christian and Jews all

have to be brought into the process to deliver Syria a more inclusive

government backing and this Civil War. History gives us practically no

examples of undetermined surrendering in response to the

conventional air bombardment. What ground forces are credibly and

seriously fighting Isil, Daesh in Syria other than some unpleasant

Islamist groups, the Kurds in a limited area and the Syrian

government army? There are moderate forces fighting Daesh into serious.

But they have also been engaged in the Civil War this. The key is to

end it as quickly as possible so that we can focus on dealing with

Daesh. There are a number of troops already involved in that. -- Syria.

We have been hoping -- helping to train them. He will continue to work

with them to ensure that Syria is rid of I aside and Daesh. --. It

talks about the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The

majority of victims were young Muslim women. Will the Secretary of

State on the cross party consensus in this chamber and follow the

example of President Hollande... Does he not accept that the language

we use is important in millisecond next Muslims and terrorists is

dangerous. I agree with almost all of that. I do not have time to read

the report and the Independent that she refers to. I myself prefer the

term Daesh as I think it is more accurate and it does not embrace the

word Islam. But Isil has become, and Isis have become accepted terms, it

may be too late to make that particular change. Does my right

honourable friend agree that there's a direct threat to the UK and we

should not consider all necessary steps to stop it on all fronts. I

agree with that. I know my honourable friend will have noted

the result though the resolution passed to that affect. We have to

confirm it by all means at our disposal. Not in terms of defending

our territory here, but striking searching groups in doing with the

politically, culturally, financially and indeed ideologically. People on

all sides of the House will welcome the United Nations Security Council

resolution passed on Friday night. Calling on Member States to take all

necessary measures against Isil /Daesh. Can the defence secretary

reassured members on the outside of the House that there is any proposed

military action in Syria there is also a parallel plan for peace to

end the reign of terror and to have a timetable for traditional

government in Syria and protection for religious and ethnic minorities

in the country? I fully accept that we have to persuade them. There's a

political track as well, the Prime Minister will be were prying towards

the end of this week for the questions quite legitimately posed

by the Foreign Affairs Committee to deal with exactly that. A

traditional government put into place -- transitional. And how that

will lead to the provision of security particularly in the Sunni

areas in northern Syria. -- not in itself delay us from dealing with

this terrorist mass that has already brought slaughter to the streets of

Paris and has already resulted in the deaths of our own citizens on a

beach in Tunisia and one of our citizens in Paris itself. It is

dangerous to wounded enemy, especially if it is a wild beast are

fighting, given that no air campaign alone has ever dislodged a

determined enemy. After we bombed Syria, what is the plan, where's the

strategy? Troops will we produce -- ground troops. The Iraqi forces and

Kurdish forces will push Isis out of Iraq and we have had some success.

In Syria we will need ground forces that are local, locally supported.

When you talk to prime ministers in Baghdad, he does not want British

troops or American troops on the ground. That will further

radicalised the areas. Particularly in the Sunni areas, on the is a

battle that has to be won by locally supported troops and local forces

that have the support of the local population. -- not the terrorists

for making a start in dealing with high school from where it is being

directed -- dealing with Isil from where it is being directed. I will

like to answer questions and for together. Is reflective in need of

kind does not competitive price. UK suppliers have provided significant

quantities of steel for programmes whatever they have been able to meet

specified standards. Our new government guidelines published last

week will help UK steel suppliers compete effectively with

international suppliers. He will be aware that Swedish still Mac was

used -- steel. Many in the still communities feel this is betrothed.

Is the field that British produced steel should be specified in order

to protect the industry. I am sure you will agree with me that the

steel that is specified needs to be the steel that can do the job. Asked

who can supply that, we are open-minded about that. We are

adopting the new government guidelines in relation to the

offshore patrol vessels Thomas on 20% of the requirement was sourced

to UK steel. Other countries support the industries, why not Britain?

This is why this government has set up a working group, the steel

procurement group. The Ministry of Defense is sitting on that group and

making sure that future orders are open to UK firms to tender. You can

bet your bottom dollar, Mr Speaker, or I should say your bottom euro

that European countries will not be abiding by European Union law as far

as procurement is concerned. Can my honourable friend confirm, I ensure

that he can, that we will do all that we can to secure Butte does not

British steel is used provided the quality needed. The answer to your

question is yes. No one who has listened to the ministers insisted

they will have any real confidence that he is going to take any serious

steps to ensure that British steel was used on the purchase of the...

That we expect to hear about shortly. Can the Minister say a

little bit more about measures he will take to justify the answer he

has given to the honourable gentleman. Black B are able

gentleman is right to point to the type 26 Booker meant as the next

major platform. We are determined as a government that is keen to support

our steel industry that contractors will have the industry to source

that still from the UK. We will do as much as we can to help them with

that. Clinical studies and audits have been undertaken by my

defence... Those reports are a matter of public record. This is not

our first line treatment and it makes up about 1% of our starts. For

some people deployed in certain parts of the world it'll be the best

drug to protect them from malaria. It is becoming that those who have

had the drug had not been assessed fully before the usage. My

constituents are those who are suffering most with a high level of

potential suicides, increased mental concerns and stress level issues,

can the Minister confirm that they will be doing a thorough review of

the use of the drug. And all personnel will be assessed before it

is used again? There is an individual risk

assessment of the patient, but in addition to that, as soon as the

prescription is entered onto the electronic record system, there is a

warning that is flagged to ensure that the prescriber is absolutely

sure that the recipient has had no mental health problems. In addition

to that, that policy is altered by... I would save to all members of

his house, that they have constituents think care about -- are

concerned about, please seek medical help. Thank you Mr Speaker, I and

Doris the honourable member for what they said. And I welcome the

Minister's reply having suffered that myself and those consequences,

I would ask her to look at the alternatives as to which there are

several, less bad side effects. I thank the honourable gentleman for

that and I would reassure him that this is not our first line drug. I'm

afraid that certain parts of the world, and given individuals

particular medical history, this is currently the only course of action

sometimes. There is a coming online and that will be looked at.

Supporting moderates is a key part of our help in Syria so they can

take our place in the transitional government that is needed to defeat

Isil and provide security throughout Syria. In the last 12 months, we

have helped to train members of the moderate armed opposition and help

save lives, bolstered civil society, counter extremism and lay the

foundation for a better future in Syria. To the government not

recognise that it is part of the solution to the Isis issue, we

need... To the government not recognise this as a failed policy,

by investing in the client in a proxy in Civil war, all we're doing

is escalating that war and perpetuating it with a greater

number of deaths? I do not agree with that. To work we are doing in

Iraq to support the democratic government of Iraq, at its request,

has stemmed and I on rush of Isil and has started to Bush Isil back,

from the Euphrates, and we need to be doing this in Syria, coming to

the aid of moderate forces in Syria who want to be free both of us odd

who is bombing his own civilians and Isil that represents a threat to us

all. What evidence is there on the ground that the free Syrian army is

recalibrating its efforts, increasing it against Isil and

reducing it against Assad? The picture in northern Syria is

particularly confused, it is not a simple conflict with front lines as

we would normally understand them. But it is our long-term objective

that Syria should be free of both Assad and others to work -- we

continue to work with others to provide the equipment they need and

when we can, provide them with training outside Syria itself. Any

consolidation of Air Force stations is being considered as part of the

defence to put strategy. The threats we face are growing in scale,

diversity, and complexity, therefore we are determined to configure our

support of military capabilities. I'm grateful to my honourable friend

for that answer and he will know that Lincolnshire is the home of the

RAF. Can need give an agreement that that should remain the case and

there are very good reasons for consolidating more personnel and

assets into our County? My honourable friend is a champion, not

only for his constituency but also for Lincolnshire. I am saying he is

right that with the -- I cannot give any further details today, not even

half past three, but I hope to have further information in due course.

With permission Mr Speaker, I would like to answer questions eight and

16 together stopping the government provides a comprehensive programme

of support for ex-service personnel. This includes an excellent

resettlement package for those returning to civilian life.

High-quality pension and compensation schemes, and measures

to meet health and welfare needs. The Armed Forces... Ensuring

veterans are not disadvantaged as a part of their service in the armed

forces. I thank the Minister for his response. Veterans represent the

largest single cohort within the overall prison population. Can the

Minister confirm with the department is doing to address this issue and

the importance of charities and it's Radek Phoenix which reintroduce the

offended in this important programme? My honourable friend will

understand that veterans in prison are the responsibility of the

Minister of Justice, however, the latest figures that I have suggest

that the prison population which are veterans is three and a half

percent. All prisoners with military history are eligible for services

from the service and in addition, Armed Forces charities including the

Royal... Sin caseworkers to support veterans in some prisons. Thank you

Mr Speaker, embers of our armed forces put themselves not only great

physical danger and also psychological pressures to defend

our country and our people. What provisions are being put in place to

help veterans of and others struggling with mental health

issues? We are determined to ensure veterans with mental health issues

are provided with appropriate support. England spends ?1.8 million

every year on mental health services for veterans, including veteran

mental health teams. A further ?18 million of funding is place to

combat posttraumatic stress disorder programme for veterans. A further a

4p of government funding will provide -- it will be provided over

the next five years. What conversations have taken place with

the chancellor to discuss the impact of tax credit courts on military

families including those of military veterans? I'm sure this is an issue

that has been discussed and will be addressed later this week when the

Chancellor makes his announcement. What support is the Ministry of

defence able to give local authorities like my own, which are

very keen in establishing homes for heroes? I recently announce that we

are about to undertake a review of this practice and following

conversations with the chair of the local Government Association, we

intend to do a review to ensure that best practices are now spread across

local authorities across the UK. The social care crisis is affecting

people across the country. Including those who sustained an injury or

condition while serving our country. Is injured or heard after the 6th of

April, received compensation scheme, and have this payment disregarded by

local authorities and being assessed for social care. However those

injured before that date are receiving war pension and don't.

Will the government addresses in equality? This is primarily a letter

for the Department of Health and I've been having a series of

negotiations with my counterpart in the Ministry of health and I'm sure

we will come back to the House in due course. Number nine Sir. With

permission Mr Speaker I would like to answer questions nine and 11

together. We expect to see small businesses take an increasing share

in our defence budget. Since they provide a vital source of innovation

and flexibility in meeting defence security requirements. In October,

we mentioned a new target to increase the procurement to be spent

with small medium enterprises to 25% by the end of this Parliament. This

target is 10% higher than in the last Parliament. I thank the end of

the mine minister for his answer. Can he outlined what role is in P is

playing in the programme? Especially in the supply chain? The success of

submarine from them it will be the largest project, where we expect 150

suppliers across the UK will be involved. They will employ thousands

of people in this very high skilled domain, using cutting-edge

technology and they will keep the supply chain for Rose Royce... Where

many of them will be as in and many of them will be within my honourable

friend's constituency. No can you clarify how any small businesses in

the defence supply chain can access the ?70 million investment that was

announced last month? I would just pay tribute to the workforce and

Lancashire, particular in the work they have an contributing every

single one of the F 35, the largest procurement for Graham and the

Globe. Mentioned last month by my honourable friend will have its due

course, some even possibly in the next hour. What difference with the

renewal of Trident make to the defence supply programme? As I just

indicated to my right honourable friend, my honourable friend, the

successor submarine programme will be the largest UK procurement of

military capability for decades to come. That will filter through, I

mentioned 150 suppliers, we think will be pertaining, it may be larger

than that, it will be an enormous programme that will last for many

years and sustained thousands of jobs right across the breadth of

this country. With permission Mr Speaker, I should like to answer

questions 12 and 18 together. The government came under force -- since

then, the government has undertaken a range of actions to build it. Our

fourth annual report to Parliament is due to be published next month

and that will detail the progress we have made during the year. The

government is committed to honour our pledges and encourage the wider

society to think about their contributions. How will their

commitments be measured so that certain councils and others can

learn from the best and most proactive and that we can encourage

others to up their game? I 2am grateful for this support, including

Sussex, who demonstrate our arms forces communities. Many are

extremely proactive. I wish -- to discuss what more we can do to

encourage local authorities as they look to support our Armed Forces

soup community. I understand the Minister for housing intends to

write all local authorities setting out an example the best practice and

are mighty that the need to arm them under the covenant. A veteran in my

constituency suffers from mental health issues from military service.

Is on the local council housing list but is one of two steps away from

priority stages. Tonight urge the Minister to beef up the covenant and

ensure our veterans are given priority status for housing as a

matter of course? The government is determined to honour the commitments

made by the Armed Forces covenant to ensure fair treatment of veterans

and their families in need of social housing. Is why the government

change the laws so that serving personnel and veterans with urgent

housing needs must always be a higher priority for housing. It is

up to local authorities however to make judgements about rises in their

areas, I will of course raise this with my colleagues. -- 10% of our

population are veterans, prison populace and. The honourable

gentleman will be aware of the ?40 million which will be invested into

the veterans accommodation fund, I work with a number of charities to

ensure this issue, and he can see it for himself the Beacon home if he

wishes to visit, or other places, I would encourage them to do so. Thank

you Mr Speaker, in the last five years we have seen entitlements of

service personnel cut copy a failure to return the micro group the -- we

weight the... Does he accept that trading service personnel so

shoddily will affect morale and can be seen as a breach of the military

government? I was hoping to avoid these words but the honourable Lady

will have to wait until 3:30pm. However, I am confident that the

renumeration package will remain an excellent package for our service

personnel, but she will have to wait a few more minutes to find out

exactly whether or not to believe all of the reports she reads. This

government believes we can and indeed will succeed in reforming and

renegotiating our relationship with the EU. The cornerstone of our

security is Nato, but the EU does play an important role in

complementing Nato, for example, imposing sanctions on Russia

recently, defence remains a sovereign issue. The UK together

with the EU partners has worked hard in areas for example on EU trading

missions, which had made a conservation to defence. With the

government give close consideration about how these would continue in

the future if Britain were to withdraw from the EU? I can only

repeat my earlier answer, we are confident that the renegotiation

will succeed, yes indeed, the mission he referred to in other

missions including the one in Africa have been a success, he is right on

that. Can I say to the Minister just in case the country votes to come

out of the EU, wouldn't he welcomed a tremendous advantage of the Armed

Forces, because the UK sends ?350 million to the EU each week, some of

that money could be diverted to the Armed Forces and would not that be a

good thing? My honourable friend is not, despite recollecting what might

happen after withdrawal, what I will say is that I am delighted to be

part of a government that is committed to spending 2% of the GDP

on the... I think you will enjoy the announcement at 3:30pm. I should

like to answer this question with number 15, we have seen Isil attacks

in many places and around the world, including on premise is

citizens in Paris. Isil poses a direct threat to the United Kingdom,

which is why we need to work with the international Coalition to

degrade and destroy Isil in Iraq and consider what more we can do to deal

with its headquarters and heartland in Syria from where this threat

comes. Given that Isil are using their base in Syria to plan attacks

on the UK, does the Secretary of State agree with me that it is

absolutely absurd to restrict the British Armed Forces to only act in

an Iraq and not in powering them to act to British threats? There is a

compelling case for us to do more in Syria, not least because what he

says is it is illogical to not only tackle forces in Iraq. As the Prime

Minister say, we must tackle the head of the snake and racked up and

make our case to the House and country starting with my right

honourable friend and his response to the committee report later this

week. Mr Speaker, while cities like London are targets for terrorism,

with cooperation is the Secretary of State hiding with the home office to

do with other areas, shopping areas like my constituency could easily be

just as under threat as central London was white we work closely

with the home office, particularly on counterterrorism and providing

assistance to back-ups of all capacity. We have 5000 troops

trained and ready to support armed police forces, 24 hours notice, and

we will be increasing the number shortly. We can only in the safety

guarantee the safety of the United Kingdom by defeating Isil in both

Iraq and Syria, and I hope he shares the new confidence of the chairman

of this committee and the -- studies committee, conditions can be met

following the attacks in Paris. The sovereign state is unable or

unwilling to take action. To what extent does he think that applies to

Daesh and the Taliban in Afghanistan when it was supporting IK,

Al-Qaeda? There is already a clear legal basis for military action

against Isil in Syria, which does not require a United Nations

resolution, but I hope nonetheless that he will welcome Security

Council resolution, which provides clear and unanimous political

endorsement by the entire international community for the

military action already being taken by the counter Isil organisation?

Why is the government turning a blind eye to Isil selling oil to

these Nato powers? The government is not turning a blind eye, on the

contrary we are doing our best to interject the supplies of oil and

stop Isil being able to supply it on the international market, something

I discussed with Syria up's neighbours, and we also need to stop

them from selling to the Syria and regime itself. My immediate

priorities are operations against Isil and the strategic defence

security review. July's announcement of the defence budget will increase

every year of this Parliament and that we'll continue to meet the Nato

2% target means that we are able to decide very shortly what further

capabilities and equipment we need to keep this country safe. I'm

delighted to host the Secretary of State on a visit to my constituency.

Is it a sign of the national security and economic security that

they signed a 300 million pounds contract for the latest missiles

manufactured out of news sites safeguarding 400 high-tech jobs?

Yes, I do recall my visit and this is part of our now plan, to provide

the very best capabilities for our armed forces. These advanced

short-range air to air missiles will equip our jets with battle winning

technologies. Helping to protect airspace and defend our Nato allies

and sustained highly skilled jobs in the new 30 million pounds plan and

also. Mr Speaker, one of the many things in the telegraph this morning

was at the MOD will purchase five or forgets them planned. Does the

Minister share with me a concern that we need enough forgets to

protect our carriers in operations. Any reduction to the sleep will

impair the carriers? I can't ensure the honourable member and I'm

delighted to see display. I can ensure the honourable member that we

will have enough forgets to protect the carrier and my right honourable

friend the Prime Minister will be making very clear the forget

replacement programmes in just a few minutes time. For the Minister

advise the House on innovations to working with the MOD. Will he take

the opportunity to spell out the role that he sees for things in

strategic defence in the UK? We recognise the importance of

innovation and the STL does do vital work within this department. In

leading science and technology initiatives to provide capability

advances for our Armed Forces and we expected to sell, through the

support he gives to universal technical college and places Indians

constituency? Mr Speaker, medicine sent frontier -- Doctors Without

Borders reports that Damascus was hit on Thursday. Increasing the

numbers of civilian casualties in Syria. In light of Friday's

resolution in Syria, could the Secretary of State detailed the

additional measures that will be taken to provide safe passage and

resettlement for civilian refugees, should the UK vote to participate in

air strikes? Prior to that taking place, I have met with a number of

NGOs about a range of issues that the honourable Lady touches on and I

can ensure that this is at the forefront of our minds. Part of the

reason for wanting to do more in this place is to prevent innocent

civilians from being brutally slaughtered. Given recent media

coverage about the different views across this house on Trident

renewal, could my right honourable friend tell me who is responsible

for deciding government policy, specifically on the issue of

Trident? Flemmi reassure my friend that policy on this side of the

House is decided by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and indeed

the whole government and the whole parliamentary parties are united on

the commitment that we made to renew the deterrent and I would urge

moderate MPs offices to turn out tomorrow and vote to support the

deterrent that every previous Labour government has supported since it

was introduced. What assessment is the government making of the high

military capability that Assad has right now? Missile systems and where

they located and what other high-tech equipment falling into the

hands of Isis? We make very clear, we make sure that our own aircraft

are equipped with the defensive AIDS that are necessary in each

particular setting, but what we need to do is bring both of these, the

Civil War in Syria to an end and then focus on the task at hand which

is destroying Isil in its heartland? With the Minister assure me with the

evaluation of the defence of state being undertaken, the social

economic policy, importance is taken into consideration? Bawled the

defensive state is primarily given to sick to the MOD does support

authorities and any impact on changes particularly when it comes

to the opportunity for the local resources as part of future campaign

banning. Lockheed Martin submitted maritime patrol aircraft contract,

this aircraft costs around 40% of Boeing's which is 80%... Can the

Minister please anoint the House as to the process undertaken to win

this contract ultimately, for the costly alternative which is not

supported by British programmes? This is another one of those

occasions where the honourable Lady will have to wait for a few moments

for the Prime Minister. What I can say to her is that in the event that

an MPA would be to -- would be procured as part of the programme,

some billion dollars worth of the programme is supplied by British

companies. Thank you Mr Speaker, I personally agree with the government

that Isil Daesh must be Christian Democrats in Syria as well as in

Iraq. But, the Secretary of State has made it clear that he wants to

cede the Syria and army forces defeated as well. We are being told

to be more like church old Dan Chamberlain. Does the state

government minister recognise that Churchill's great strength was that

he knew when to recognise which is the greater and lesser of two evils

and that is why he was willing sometimes to fight alongside

unsavoury allies against a common deadly enemy? Let me just say that

my honourable friend that I always thought that Churchill's greatest

strength was confronted -- when confronted by a direct threat to

this country to be determined to do something about it. Thank you Mr

Speaker, Armed Forces being the smallest they have been since the

middle of the 19th century, with the Minister said that if the UK was to

exit the European Union, this would significantly undermine our

intelligence and security Russian ships at a time when we need these

relationships the most? I do not accept that. Of course the

membership of the union has allowed us to be imposing sanctions on

Russia for the action it took an crime area stopping -- Crimea. The

bulk of our defence rests on our membership of the Nato alliance. Mr

Speaker, at a time when it is clear that our nuclear capabilities is

cute, can the Minister perhaps provide some update on the progress

in delivering our nuclear things to the submarines? I was delighted last

Thursday to announce the ?1.3 billion contract. We will save money

from the text layer, we would deliver this summer in ahead of

schedule of the previous one, and we are on track. I agree with the

defence secretary that Isil poses a very direct threat to the UK, but I

wonder if he agrees with me that if the government has to take military

action against Syria, it needs to be framed within a writer strategy to

be military action can only service one strand of that wider campaign,

the government also needs to lead political and diplomatic tools that

they have at their disposal. I completely agree with that. Any

military strategy to deal with Isil in Syria as well as in Iraq has to

be be a part of a wider campaign to win this struggle against Isil,

politically and diplomatically to construct a moderate government in

Syria that has the support of all sections of Syrian society and to

show how that will lead to greater security in the Sunni areas in

particular in northern Syria, once Isil is defeated in its heartland.

What is our noninvolvement in air strikes have in terms of

international partners? A decision to do nothing has

consequences. As my honourable friend has alluded to it has had

severe consequences not simply in the reputation of this country with

its allies, but in the consequences in Syria itself or he has seen a

vicious silver war. Hundreds of thousands killed. And millions

displaced as a result of a decision by the West not to get involved and

to put a stop to it two years ago. It does seem strange that that we

give high-level British forces training to those fighting Isil, but

we do not give them any of our equipment. So they end up fighting

with Russian or other weapons. Are we going to look at changing that so

they get all of the armour, medical supplies and hardware. I'm happy to

reassure the honourable gentleman that as well as providing excellent

training we are also gifting non-lethal equipment. What my right

honourable friend agree with me that to say we can eradicate Daesh

through negotiation of -- alone is not enough. If we want to tackle

this issue we need to use all of the force at our ability? I agree with

that. That is reflected in the United Nations resolution. Isil is

making -- has made no demands of those that it wants to slaughter in

Paris the week before last. This is not an organisation that we can

possibly negotiate with or employee diplomacy. It has to be defeated

using all means at our disposal, including military means. Having

seen first-hand the best clubs that were first -- were first established

Upon Hall, what more can the government do to support these

initiatives started by veterans themselves? I have to agree with the

honourable Lady. It is an