Live Defence Questions House of Commons


Live Defence Questions

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Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

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House of Commons. In an hour cosmic time, there'll be two urgent

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questions. The first on child refugees in Calais and the second on

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guidance to civil service under the EU referendum. MPs will then be to

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record -- approve the referendum which takes place on the 23rd of

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June and the start of the official referendum period on the 15th of

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April. After that, the Labour Party will lead the debate and the UK

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steel industry, calling on the government to publish a full

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industrial strategy which includes the procurement policy which commits

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to using British steel wherever possible for publicly funded

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infrastructure projects. Join me for a round up of the day in both houses

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of parliament at 11pm this evening. Now over two House of Commons live.

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Order, order. We will not proceed to read the title of the bill. Set down

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for consideration this day. Transport for London billboards to

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be considered. Objection taken. Monday the 7th of March. Thank you.

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Order. Questions to the secretary of state defence,. With permission I

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will answer this question together with question seven and 11. On the

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20th of January I attended the defence minister Boss meeting where

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we reviewed options for intensifying the military operation against Daesh

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in both Iraq and Syria. On the 11th of February I attended a full

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counter Daesh military meeting where we agreed on accelerated plan

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including the liberation and importance of the liberation of both

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rack and another city and pressing on the Daesh on all sides. I think

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we have -- the community has previously asked the government to

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do more in the fight against Daesh. Having just returned from

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parliamentary delegation in Saudi Arabia, understood and that the

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Saudi authorities have sent ground troops into Syria to defeat Daesh

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but require air cover. Will the United Kingdom and other partners

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and look at that request. I welcome the cooperation, contribution of

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states including Saudi Arabia and they were president of the meeting

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in Brussels. I welcome the Saudi redeployment of those 15 aircraft to

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the Coalition air campaign. I have also seen the reports that my

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honourable friend has referred to and Saudi Arabia is prepared to send

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troops to the fight in Syria and we will wait to see the details of any

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plan before commenting on what support the UK will provide as part

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of the global Coalition. Russian air strikes have clearly targeted

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civilian populations in Syria. Killing and maiming many innocent

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men, women, and children and degrading the Syria moderate forces

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that we are relying on to defeat Daesh in the region. With these

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Secretary of State align what actions we are taking now to protect

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these populations and underpin our military strategy in the region? I

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know my honourable friend will welcome these disassociation of

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hostilities at the weekend which appears to be largely holding. Able

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only to succeed if there is a major change in behaviour by the Syrian

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regime and by its principal backer, Russia. It is Russia that has

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honoured this agreement by ending the attacks on Syrian civilians and

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opposition groups and using its influence to ensure the Syrian

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regime does the same. As part of the second part of the question, there

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has been some progress in the last few weeks and reaching the seeds

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areas. Over some 60,000 people have been reached with aid through the

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United Nations food programme. Continuing with the Russian bombing,

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can I ask what my honourable friend and the government is doing to

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highlight Russia's indiscriminate behaviour and what contact has he

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had with the Russian authorities to end this outrage? Both my right

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honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and I have been very clear

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and public that the Russian actions here have been undermining the

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prospects for ending the conflict in Syria. We welcome the Russian

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contribution to the most recent agreement that came into effect on

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Saturday. Russia can and should play a positive role in the fight against

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Daesh, ending the conflict in Syria. But I have to tell the House that

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over 70% of Russian air strikes have not been against Daesh at all, there

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have been against civilians and moderate opposition groups in Syria.

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And appalling contribution. This was to a conflict that must end. Can I

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ask the Secretary of State what the members of governments have had with

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discussions about extending military action including air strikes to

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Libya? There have not been discussions about extending air

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strikes to Libya because of the moment there is no government in

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Libya, we have been working to assist the formation of a new

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government in Libya and it is for that government to make clear what

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assistance it requires. We are party to the Libyan international mission

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and we will see what kind of support the new government wants, whether

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that is assistance with advice, or training, or any other kind of

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support. Last week in of the defence committee were

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informed of the full horror of Daesh as they forced out of territory.

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Specifically the minefields and IE D's that were left behind, including

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toilets that are being left with the resources to being removed are not

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available. What conversations are you having with partners to ensure

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this is taking care of? The honourable Lady is quite right.

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Daesh have been seeking these towns and villages, seeding them with

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improvised explosives and the British contribution to the Iraqi

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forces has focused indeed on counter IED training which we now supply at

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all four centres and if there is more we can do to assist the Iraqi

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and Kurdish forces in that training we will certainly do so. What

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support will the UK government be giving to the UN who are today

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giving fresh aid to Syria under the cease-fire? We have been making our

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contribution to the United Nations and we are ready to help do more.

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This is not easy for convoys to get through to some of the very hard to

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reach areas, and the a drop carried out last week was not entirely

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successful. It was dropped from a great height into a high wind, a

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number of the pallets do not reach the ground in the best way to get

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aid is by land convoys, but that is not easy in some of these

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particularly hard-to-reach areas. Parts of the defence committed he

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visited Jordan and Lebanon and we were concerned to see that Daesh

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were threatening borders of countries that are relatively

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stable. Where Britain has made a huge and impressive investment in

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trying to assist those countries, what more can my right honourable

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friend do and the government do to support these countries in dealing

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with a clear and present danger from this organisation? The Daesh

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represents a threat to the stability of the entire region, including the

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neighbours to Iraq and Syria. We have already made a huge

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contribution towards training in Jordan, with the Jordanian forces,

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we have more to do there as well. We have recently been playing a role in

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Lebanon as well with helping the border defenses of that country.

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Thank you Mr Speaker. Can the secretary of State tell us whether

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he believes that the use of the much... Missile against Daesh that

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the prime minister assured us it would cut off the head of the snake

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in Raqqa? Room Stone is one of the munitions available to our armed

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forces alongside bombs and the hellfire missile. We can tell the

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honourable Tubman, the United Kingdom forces have flown over 2100

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combat missions against Daesh and have carried out over 600 strikes,

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including the use of brimstone missiles. But one of the points for

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review in the Minister review is what more can we do to target the

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infrastructure that supports the Daesh, the logistics and its supply

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routes, as well as the effort we have been making in support of Iraqi

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forces. Could the Secretary of State then comment on recent reports in

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the New York Times that says that although Daesh numbers have fallen

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in both Iraq and Syria, the numbers and Libya have actually doubled in

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that same time period? And isn't it the case that the bombing campaign,

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rather than diminishing Daesh have actually simply displaced them? I do

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not think there is direct evidence of moving from one country to

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another. Daesh as in the back foot in Iraq, the Iraqi forces and

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Kurdish forces with support from the Coalition have liberated a number of

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cities and Daesh is being pushed back. That is not happening yet in

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Syria and I am can send about the proliferation of Daesh along the

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Libyan coastline which is why we have been urgently assisting the

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formation of a new Libyan government. -- concerned. Coalition

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efforts have a effect on stopping Daesh as well. In Iraq, but also

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domestically in Syria. With the Secretary of State agree with me

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that the full frontal assault on recto might have the opposite effect

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and possibly try to do something about the poisonous ideology and

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funding, it is more important than conventional attacks? I do agree. We

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have to look at all of these things and deal with Daesh across the

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border. From its ideology, we have to cut off its financing, we have to

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deal with the message that it is putting out to local populations and

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yes, preparations for the liberation of both cities are going to require

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very careful reparation to assure the Syria population that it will be

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able to enjoy better security once the Daesh are thrown out. As we

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considered these issues are thoughts are with the members of our Armed

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Forces currently serving in the Middle East. And all those living

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under the brutality of Daesh and the victims of terror attacks across the

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world. The secretary of state is right to simultaneously welcome the

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progress towards cease-fire in the contributions made while condemning

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the previous Russian attacks on moderate forces that the Coalition

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is working with. Can he tell us at this stage how reliable he feels

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with the 70,000 moderate Syrian forces at this moment in time? I am

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grateful to the honourable Tillman and indeed, the official support

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that has been given to the campaign against Daesh. The 70,000 figure was

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not the government's figure but a figure produced independently by the

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joint intelligence committee. We have no reason to believe that that

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figure is the wrong one, indeed the Civil War in Syria has been raging

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for six years now so there have been considerable forces engaged against

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the Syria and regime of which the 70,000 are a formidable part. Just

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two days ago, Isis launched a series of attacks the Kurdish forces to the

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north of rack up. Given that we were hoping that moderate forces were

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waiting to take the fact to -- that the macro fight to do Daesh is

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concerning. Can you tell us a little more about how effective you think

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the UK strikes have been in achieving our objectives with Daesh

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and supporting moderate forces to take back control and liberate rack

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a? UK is playing the second most important part and Coalition air

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activity and strikes. Surveillance and intelligence as well. Daesh are

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being pushed back in Iraq, no doubt about that. They have pushed up the

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Tigris and pushed back west along the Euphrates. It is much more

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complicated and we are concerned that some of the more recent reports

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that may suggest coordination between Syrian Democratic forces and

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the Assad regime, which is not helpful for the long-term state of

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defeating Daesh. Question number two. With permission I would like to

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answer questions two and 16 together. In the SDSR published last

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November, the Minister of defence agreed to new strategic objective to

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contributing to the nation pause my prosperity, we do this in many ways,

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not the least through procurement spending of 22 million a year with

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UK industry, half of which is in the manufacturing sector. The security

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defence industry is the largest in Europe and plays a vital role in

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providing battle winning capabilities for our Armed Forces.

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We are driving greater innovation for the defence procurement,

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maximizing opportunities for investing in skills, and contribute

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into a more prosperous economy. That sounded good Mr Speaker, and I am

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glad the department has such an objective but manufacturing industry

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in my constituency tell me that this government has seen far too little

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action in favour of manufacturing, not least in business rates. In

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pursuit of those objectives, what with the Minister tell me when he

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last spoke to the Department of business about refreshing and

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improving their industrial strategy? I can tell the honourable Lady that

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I have meetings with colleagues in the Department of business

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innovation skills on a monthly basis, I was in their offices

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earlier this month. We are constantly looking for better ways

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to encourage particular medium and businesses in engaging in the supply

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chain and I am pleased to tell the House that we have confirmed a

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target of 25% of minister he defence spending through direct and indirect

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spending. I am genuinely interested in the Minister's approach because I

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would like him to explain to the House why for example a new Royal

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navy offshore boats, 60 presented the steel for those boats has been

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procured from Sweden when in my part of the where old and Wales, we have

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a crisis on the behalf of the steel industry? I am happy to try and

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respond to the honourable gentleman in relation particularly to the

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specifics he raised. 20% of the steel used in the three offshore

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patrol vessels has been sourced from UK steel mills. The systems is the

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prime contractor and has 24 companies to tend to the steel

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contract, only for Mac or returned, one of which was from a British

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contractor which won the contract to provide steel which was been sourced

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from a wide range of suppliers. Not only did I see the skills that

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helped manufacture parts for Typhoon and joint strike fighter, but I saw

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the millions of pounds that they are investing in the training academy

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for the places opening later this year and also into 3-D printing what

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they will be able to make parts and prototypes vote in plastic and in

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metals. Does he agree with me that it is these investments that help to

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keep the systems at the forefront in their field in the world? I think

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the honourable gentleman speaks not only magnificent for his

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constituency but also for the defence contractor who's the main

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centre of innovation in his constituency. I would like to

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congratulate and applaud him for that. Given that the Ministry of

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defence procurement operates under European law, what assessment has

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the Minister made of the potential exit from the European Union on the

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UK businesses that rely on EU contracts? As the honourable

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gentleman knows, the UK defence and security industry is the largest in

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Europe, we continued to place as a default position, contracts on open

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competition basis. The EU procurement directives apply to our

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procurement, which means that EU contractors are eligible to compete

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for our contracts in the same way as UK and other international companies

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are other than those where we have declared the article 346 exemption

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from our stalls which accounts for about 35% of our procurement. On

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procurement, I hope that my honourable friend also applied to

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Arab territories and with the last recess, I had the chance of reaching

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out to men and women there. Will the government join me in playing,

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contribute... And will work closely with the fork Islands government to

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increase Erki Erm and their two British providers? I am grateful to

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my honourable friend for his question. I think he might prefer to

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ask that question to the Secretary of State, he just visited the

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foregoing islands, the first secretary of state to do so for over

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a decade. I can confirm to him that as part of the SDSR conclusions, we

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have committed to ?180 million from the Ministry of defence in the fork

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when islands, including... There are more than 14,000 high skilled value

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jobs in the sector in the Northwest alone. 40% higher than the national

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average. We heard before about the lack of a proper defence industrial

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strategy with respect to steal, so when is the government going to look

:19:57.:20:00.

at the other economic benefits when it comes to protecting those high

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skill, high value jobs but also creating new ones in the context of

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the defence procurement? I think the honourable gentleman should have a

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word with the leader of his party. We care about both security and

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prosperity on this side and the honourable gentleman might want to

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remind his leader that grandstanding on a Saturday places not only the

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ultimate security of the nation at risk but also the tens of thousands

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of jobs and hundreds of thousands of companies in the submarine industry

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in this country at risk. Thank you Mr Speaker, perhaps if the Minister

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listens to the questions and stops during allegations of grandstanding

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and takes serious the issue of the steel industry in this country, the

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chronic underinvestment in this country by this government is

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nothing less than national disgrace. As my honourable friend said

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earlier, 60% of steel required for the Royal Navy's offshore patrol

:21:11.:21:15.

vessels came from Sweden, to name just one. Doesn't the Minister agree

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that with the way employment, industrial and economic factors in

:21:26.:21:30.

this policy, which is obviously not working when he has such a low level

:21:31.:21:39.

of interest in these companies... UK supplies to make a significant

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contribution to supplied steel for our defence programmes, including

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some 94% of the steel in the aircraft carriers, 77,000 tonnes

:21:48.:21:52.

sourced from UK mills. But I do recognise and the government

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recognises that there is an issue affecting the UK steel industry and

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that is why we have established the UK steel procurement group which

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ministers are presenting and I instructed the department to our

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major defence contractors to ensure that the guidance on steel

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procurement is spread across the fence. Disengages the UK steel

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market through pipelines and will ensure cost copulations taken into

:22:23.:22:24.

account over the whole life and not the initial price. Exchanges today

:22:25.:22:31.

are a tad more windy. There are a lot of questions to get through.

:22:32.:22:35.

What is required is a pithy question and a pithy answer. It is not

:22:36.:22:46.

difficult. Question number three. With permission Mr Speaker I should

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like to answer questions three and ten together. Our civilian workers

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doing an excellent job and reductions in our workforce would

:22:55.:22:58.

require the MOD to continuously list the way we operate. The majority of

:22:59.:23:02.

plan reductions are already under way and there is now an opportunity

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to identify further efficiencies in defence. We want to deliver a small

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productive workforce that will ultimately generate savings for

:23:12.:23:13.

reinvestment into front-line capabilities. Does the Minister

:23:14.:23:19.

acknowledged that further cuts to the civilian workforce will

:23:20.:23:23.

inevitably shift the burden onto our armed forces personnel and how does

:23:24.:23:28.

he think that will affect the retention, recruitment, and morale

:23:29.:23:30.

of our troops which according to service men and women in my

:23:31.:23:34.

constituency, is already worryingly low was white know I do not because

:23:35.:23:40.

ultimately I think the savings which we will be able to make of ?300

:23:41.:23:45.

million will be able to be reinvested into front-line

:23:46.:23:50.

capability. How does he think the cut to civilian force will affect

:23:51.:23:56.

the expertise that he may lose as a result of those cuts? Under the

:23:57.:24:01.

whole force approach we try to find the balance between regular and

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reserve service personnel as well as MOD civilians and contractors. This

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is a mix that successive governments have followed and we try to use the

:24:12.:24:14.

right people in the right place at the right time. Civilians defence

:24:15.:24:25.

equipment and support for one of the MOD is most important responsible it

:24:26.:24:28.

is, making sure our troops have the right care. Along with other things

:24:29.:24:36.

they face cuts. DNS requires a high expertise such as making sure our

:24:37.:24:41.

aircraft are safe. Can the Minister explain how they propose a 30% cut

:24:42.:24:47.

without losing such vital skills? I am afraid I think the honourable

:24:48.:24:54.

Lady may be misinformed. The E and S to not... They do not have a 30%

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cut. There is not a blanket 30% cut across the fence. If anything she is

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slightly skimming and she should reflect on her comments. So the

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Minister is telling us that although there'll be 30% cut across the

:25:10.:25:11.

civilian staff there will be some areas where we will have higher than

:25:12.:25:17.

30% cuts to civilian staff and in some areas 20%. If it is in the

:25:18.:25:21.

strategic defence review, 30% cuts to civilian staff, they say they

:25:22.:25:25.

will not be in DES, so where would they be? The fact of the matter is,

:25:26.:25:30.

the last two years alone, DN as have lost 5000 staff, and at the same

:25:31.:25:37.

time at the cost of contractors have spiralled so that we are now in a

:25:38.:25:41.

ludicrous position where the public accounts committee says we're

:25:42.:25:44.

spending ?250 million on contractors who are advising us on how to

:25:45.:25:52.

reduced reliance on contractors. Perhaps the Minister should take

:25:53.:25:55.

these cuts in a strategic way as opposed to using arbitrary cuts. I

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am grateful for the pithy question. LAUGHTER There is a basic

:26:01.:26:05.

misunderstanding here where the honourable lady needs to understand

:26:06.:26:08.

that many of these programmes are already in place, for example the

:26:09.:26:12.

footprint strategy which will see our reduction of our footprint by

:26:13.:26:16.

some of 30% will actually mean that we will have less need for civilians

:26:17.:26:22.

in certain parts of the estate. Some of these measures are already under

:26:23.:26:25.

way so we do not simply have to impose a blanket 30% cut, in DENS.

:26:26.:26:36.

They tell is the cornerstone of the United Kingdom's defence. -- Nato

:26:37.:26:43.

is. The European Union plays an important role in supporting Nato's

:26:44.:26:52.

response to international crisis, applying economic humanitarian and

:26:53.:26:59.

diplomatic levers, that Nato does not have. The government therefore

:27:00.:27:02.

believes that the United Kingdom continued membership of a reformed

:27:03.:27:07.

European Union will make us safer and stronger. A cyber threats pose a

:27:08.:27:14.

significant risk to the B defence of the UK, and this has been identified

:27:15.:27:19.

as one of the four security challenges in the 2015 review. But

:27:20.:27:24.

the BU network and Director was created in 2014 to enhance the

:27:25.:27:29.

security of EU member states and is vital that cyber security continues

:27:30.:27:34.

to be a priority for the MOD. As the Minister agree that remaining as a

:27:35.:27:38.

member of the EU greatly enhances our ability to respond to future of

:27:39.:27:45.

cyber threats? Our recent statistic -- strategic review identifies cyber

:27:46.:27:53.

as one of the key threats facing this country. My department has

:27:54.:27:56.

taken over our responsibility for that for cyber security and we are

:27:57.:28:02.

spending over ?2 billion on it. So we can ensure that we keep the

:28:03.:28:06.

institutions of government properly protected, and we do our best to

:28:07.:28:09.

spread good practice amongst our industry as well. On a scale of

:28:10.:28:18.

1-10, and in terms of preserving our national security, I would be

:28:19.:28:23.

Secretary of State rate and compare our membership of Nato with our

:28:24.:28:29.

membership of the EU? I have already said that Nato is the cornerstone of

:28:30.:28:34.

our defence. The EU plays a complementary role. I have not come

:28:35.:28:38.

across any Nato Defense ministers who thinks we should leave the EU or

:28:39.:28:42.

that we would be safer and stronger outside of it the European Union.

:28:43.:28:51.

These two -- the memberships of these two organisations, taken

:28:52.:28:54.

together, does keep a stronger and safer and -- in an uncertain world.

:28:55.:28:59.

Does he think that President Houston, which edits here is the UK

:29:00.:29:04.

left the EU, isn't it clear that we are better off being part of that

:29:05.:29:09.

collaboration, sitting around a table with France, Germany, thinking

:29:10.:29:13.

about all of those security issues. I would not in her office and safer

:29:14.:29:17.

remain part of the EU? -- President Clinton. He was the EU that was able

:29:18.:29:24.

to oppose sanctions on President Clinton 40 dead in... -- Putin. I

:29:25.:29:37.

think Putin would welcome any fracture of either Nato or the EU.

:29:38.:29:45.

Was he not accept that by advancing this point idea that somehow our

:29:46.:29:52.

membership of the EU enhances our national security, is merely playing

:29:53.:29:57.

into the hands of those like Chancellor Merkel, who wants this

:29:58.:30:02.

boat is taken if Britain where the rural vote to remain in the EU, with

:30:03.:30:08.

advanced towards a European army, the result of which will be to

:30:09.:30:12.

undermine Nato, that the organisation he says it the

:30:13.:30:17.

cornerstone of national defence. Let me make it clear that we would not

:30:18.:30:22.

support any move towards a European union army of the kind that my

:30:23.:30:28.

Honorable friend suggests. These two organisations have different

:30:29.:30:33.

memberships at slightly different objectives. Nato is the key part of

:30:34.:30:39.

our defence. It is the cornerstone. But there aren't levers available to

:30:40.:30:45.

the EU, legal, economic, and diplomatic that Nato does not have.

:30:46.:30:50.

Different membership that the numbers above gives of the best of

:30:51.:30:55.

both worlds. That's big number the boat. He must the knowledge that

:30:56.:31:02.

some would prefer a European defence force to ultimately replace Nato.

:31:03.:31:05.

Can you tell the House with his dues are on that and will he also

:31:06.:31:08.

acknowledged that most of our European security successes are

:31:09.:31:15.

bilateral and not as part of the EU? I have not had a fellow European

:31:16.:31:21.

defence minister called on us to create any type of defence force. It

:31:22.:31:25.

was interesting that at the last minute meeting, --/NATO, Germany

:31:26.:31:35.

asked for Nato to help police the UG GMC to have the would-be migrant

:31:36.:31:40.

pressure. Though the role of some of these operations for Nato, a role in

:31:41.:31:44.

other areas for the EU. We are fortunate of being numbers above.

:31:45.:31:50.

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is essential that all

:31:51.:31:53.

members of our Armed Forces serving away from home lesbian being able to

:31:54.:31:58.

vote in the general referendum? -- June referendum. Yes. I will of

:31:59.:32:09.

course, following her reminder, I will ensure that we make every

:32:10.:32:15.

effort to ensure a higher turnout by the Armed Forces as possible. Ngosso

:32:16.:32:27.

the house on the 16th of December that doctors diagnosed after that

:32:28.:32:34.

date -- veterans diagnosed, would receive a payment of ?140,000. I

:32:35.:32:38.

also committed to look at whether this can be extended to veterans

:32:39.:32:43.

diagnosed before that date. We have kept our work and I'm delighted to

:32:44.:32:47.

confirm that this option of a lump sum payment will be extended to

:32:48.:32:51.

veterans who received the war pension, diagnosed before the 2nd of

:32:52.:32:57.

December 2015 as well. That is good news. Many of us in the house, this

:32:58.:33:11.

will be very welcome. I will people affected be able to claim this money

:33:12.:33:20.

going forward? I have instructed the veteran agency to contact all those

:33:21.:33:24.

who we know with immediate effect and I hope these payments will be

:33:25.:33:28.

made shortly after the 11th of April. Will the Minister Dummy

:33:29.:33:34.

impact every to those members who have campaigned and others on this

:33:35.:33:40.

issue and I welcome, where he also paid tribute but the Navy sailor who

:33:41.:33:46.

was recently diagnosed as has to benefit when he got the one issue

:33:47.:33:51.

that more research is to be done and to this devastating disease. I

:33:52.:33:57.

recognise the actions of of of both sides of the house who attend --

:33:58.:34:01.

campaign to ensure the changes. The last. I'm delighted to stay ahead

:34:02.:34:03.

today to make this announcement. It is directing to do. -- stand here

:34:04.:34:08.

today. -- it is the right thing to do. I have recently got me contacted

:34:09.:34:15.

that's been contacted, who is concerned that services are not

:34:16.:34:18.

being properly funded. Does the Minister find research... It is

:34:19.:34:29.

rightly a matter for the Department of Health, but a more than happy to

:34:30.:34:32.

pick that up with them to see what can be done. I'm delighted to

:34:33.:34:41.

welcome the information. They were cautioned. To make sure that when

:34:42.:34:47.

people are given the option, that there is no unintended consequences,

:34:48.:34:52.

specifically for what was -- what words. For many years, to make sure

:34:53.:35:01.

that if the option of a lump sum, and does not have an impact on her

:35:02.:35:04.

in terms of getting benefits over the years. I page every to him. He

:35:05.:35:13.

is absolutely right. I simply emphasise to the house, this is an

:35:14.:35:17.

option. I will ensure that when recipients are notified, but there

:35:18.:35:22.

are fully informed as to what the options actually mean.

:35:23.:35:30.

The OAD have been undertaking site monitoring rules and stood up alone.

:35:31.:35:39.

We are capable to the next days when the other third parties of agree to

:35:40.:35:43.

site access. Discussion around the taken place at it it is anticipated

:35:44.:35:47.

that an agreement will be signed shortly. We will continue to work

:35:48.:35:50.

closely with all parties to ensure that the matter is resolved as

:35:51.:35:56.

quickly as possible. After 26 years, this nonaction is just not good

:35:57.:36:02.

enough. In recent weeks, the officials have cancelled meetings

:36:03.:36:05.

with landowners to discuss access. They have failed to turn up to

:36:06.:36:10.

meetings with local elective officials, and oxidant at local

:36:11.:36:13.

community with content. When I'm at the Minister on Wednesday, I hope I

:36:14.:36:17.

can get a detailed timeline of when action is going to be taken. I don't

:36:18.:36:26.

accept as the he says. Per my understanding, we have been making

:36:27.:36:28.

positive progress. Action has been taken through monetary and removal

:36:29.:36:35.

is available. There will be him of the responsibilities are in this

:36:36.:36:37.

matter. I look forward to meeting with the honourable gentleman later

:36:38.:36:40.

this week but I look forward to meeting with the honourable

:36:41.:36:42.

gentleman later this week by how we can have constructive approach to

:36:43.:36:43.

moving this issue forward. The new purpose figure, will be

:36:44.:36:58.

crucial for the longer-term future of the UK's for shipbuilding

:36:59.:37:05.

industry. And form a central part of the national shipbuilding strategy,

:37:06.:37:07.

which is due to be published later this year. The decision is expected

:37:08.:37:12.

to be made on the build location into the programme is prepared.

:37:13.:37:18.

Given the expectations that the government raised following the

:37:19.:37:22.

SDSR, that answer is most unwelcome. Does he not agree with me that given

:37:23.:37:28.

the finest ships, anywhere in the world were built, will be the

:37:29.:37:33.

perfect location for this to take place. Three and a half billion has

:37:34.:37:40.

been spent to date on the aircraft carrier programme in Scotland. In

:37:41.:37:44.

2014, we placed the hundred 48 million contract for three of the

:37:45.:37:49.

fees, hoping to sustain a hundred Scottish jobs. And helping to zoo

:37:50.:37:56.

the skills for the eight type 20 type global sales to be constructed.

:37:57.:38:03.

They also may be built on the clock, but too early to commit now. That's

:38:04.:38:09.

on the Clyde. On making this isn't, what a given that the need to avoid

:38:10.:38:14.

the difficulties of the type 45 have had in the electrical and mechanical

:38:15.:38:20.

motion systems? Yes. They are friendships. There were mistakes

:38:21.:38:26.

made under the last government. -- find ships. The Lord heard today,

:38:27.:38:36.

how the patrol vessels, the Minister has admitted that the have been made

:38:37.:38:40.

in Korea with Bristol. They can commit where distillate is going to

:38:41.:38:43.

come home for the type essay. How will we know that but it still will

:38:44.:38:50.

be used for these? Desperate stuff. He is our genetic Opera answer on

:38:51.:38:56.

the use of steel. They will have the opportunity to bid as they always

:38:57.:39:01.

have. We clearly cannot commit in advance of that. We don't even know

:39:02.:39:05.

for certain that British companies will be dusted. We can not commit at

:39:06.:39:15.

this stage. As part of the defence programme, we are reviewing a series

:39:16.:39:19.

of options that are expected to change the way we please bug are

:39:20.:39:22.

some of our establishment. It is early to say what the impact will be

:39:23.:39:27.

on a number of them of the police. -- it of the police. Can you tell me

:39:28.:39:31.

what legal advice he has sought or seek in relation to potentially

:39:32.:39:38.

removing the arm and said Defense police from civilian establishments

:39:39.:39:40.

and replacing them with forces personnel? There are a number of

:39:41.:39:46.

options we are looking at of how we can make the best use of our

:39:47.:39:54.

ministry of Defense police. So the gap a more proactive role in the

:39:55.:39:58.

communities and our service communities. There have been a

:39:59.:40:00.

number of discussions, but the doctors had yet to be explored fully

:40:01.:40:04.

and I will, to the house in due course. Not wishing to the in any

:40:05.:40:16.

way from the wonderful work done by the Ministry of Defense, we've this

:40:17.:40:21.

opportunity to present the work of the world Marines, who police are

:40:22.:40:29.

nuclear facilities in Scotland? I am delighted to join him and the

:40:30.:40:32.

present the work that the Marines have done. I have seen first-hand in

:40:33.:40:34.

recent years. Where there are allegations of

:40:35.:40:45.

serious wrongdoing, they need to be investigated. We are aware of the

:40:46.:40:49.

stressed that the places on our service personnel. We must honour

:40:50.:40:52.

our duty of care to them. This will involve an independent legal advice

:40:53.:40:56.

and support, however where are also aware that a great many allegations

:40:57.:41:00.

are being made on grounds of malice, all by some law firm for profit.

:41:01.:41:03.

Will shortly bring forward measures to close down the shameless and

:41:04.:41:12.

shoddy record. Of allegations were found to be false by the Inquirer.

:41:13.:41:18.

Does my friend agreed that we should all began to reclaim Loughran who

:41:19.:41:24.

shamefully promoted this allegations that anybody who received financial

:41:25.:41:28.

backing from them will be well biased to either return or to make a

:41:29.:41:33.

donation to help the heroes? I thank him for writing this point. The

:41:34.:41:39.

Casey raises the cost of a taxpayer 31 million to defend. The law firm

:41:40.:41:44.

involved have been referred to the solicitors do so -- tribunal. We're

:41:45.:41:50.

looking at ways we can would improve cost, and in others. Those who have

:41:51.:41:54.

their own associations with that firms will need to make their own

:41:55.:42:01.

judgements. Contact him and said to have clarity of intent is picking

:42:02.:42:04.

over the heads of the present soldiers and brave soldiers and

:42:05.:42:10.

servicemen to those who I joined the Army, very worrying for getting

:42:11.:42:13.

people thinking that they might be serving their country and finish up

:42:14.:42:20.

to be accused of that full-time. -- accuse a dreadful crimes. This is a

:42:21.:42:28.

huge stress to service personnel. It corrupts their operations and it

:42:29.:42:33.

also undermines human rights by undermining international

:42:34.:42:34.

humanitarian law. I can totally see why some one who want to join the

:42:35.:42:38.

Armed Forces would be concerned about all three of those things.

:42:39.:42:41.

That is why we bring forward a number of measures that will address

:42:42.:42:49.

all three. The minister and the Secretary of State, have been very

:42:50.:42:53.

vocal about the importance of bringing forward a bill to protect

:42:54.:42:58.

service personnel from spirits, costly, and stressful legal action.

:42:59.:43:04.

There have been one of form reports that the bill is ready to proceed,

:43:05.:43:09.

but is being held of an Downing Street for fear that it might

:43:10.:43:16.

somehow impinge on an forthcoming EU referendum debate. Can she confirm

:43:17.:43:22.

that her department will do as much as possible to ensure that this

:43:23.:43:27.

legislation is brought forward at the earliest opportunity and not

:43:28.:43:33.

delayed for any external political reasons? I can give my friend those

:43:34.:43:42.

reassurances. In all respects, the information he is working on is not

:43:43.:43:45.

correct. There will be a number of measures that will be brought to. So

:43:46.:43:50.

maybe attached to pieces of legislation and we are hoping to be

:43:51.:43:55.

able to make announcements on this before local government kicks in. We

:43:56.:44:04.

do not envision the point ground forces to Libya in a combat role.

:44:05.:44:08.

The United Kingdom is considering with our partners have a and new

:44:09.:44:14.

Libyan government. Lang to focus on capacity building and security

:44:15.:44:17.

sector reform, but it's too early to say what form that support would

:44:18.:44:21.

take. Before taking any military action in Libya, we would seek an

:44:22.:44:26.

invitation on the new Libyan government. I thank him for that

:44:27.:44:34.

response. I've disappointed to read the comments in the media stating

:44:35.:44:38.

that he had authorised the use of UK bases for US air strikes. The matter

:44:39.:44:43.

has not brought to the server in advance. And yesterday of papers,

:44:44.:44:46.

the government is now also the point British advisers to Libya. Will he

:44:47.:44:51.

commit to stopping this mission, and making sure that no further such

:44:52.:44:57.

actions happen without comment to the house. And he explained whether

:44:58.:45:00.

the action than it was lawful under UK standards, the use of force, and

:45:01.:45:07.

human rights laws? The United States, follow standard procedures

:45:08.:45:11.

and medical request to use our basis was we had desk-bound about

:45:12.:45:19.

legality. I granted permission for them to use our basis to support.

:45:20.:45:24.

They are trying to prevent the Daesh from using with the a base from

:45:25.:45:28.

which to plan and carry out attacks that threaten the stability of Libya

:45:29.:45:32.

and the region and potentially the United Kingdom and our people, too.

:45:33.:45:37.

I was satisfied that the operation, which was a US operation, would be

:45:38.:45:45.

connected on that international law. Could he set out what level of

:45:46.:45:48.

military involvement in the government believes the British

:45:49.:45:52.

military has to engage in in Libya, is for the diamonds that would bring

:45:53.:45:54.

any decisions regarding military intervention to the house? Would

:45:55.:46:05.

deny intent deploy ground forces in any combat role. -- we do not plan

:46:06.:46:12.

to deploy. We would, of course, have to seek an invitation from the

:46:13.:46:19.

government and what also involved this problem. We have, as part of

:46:20.:46:26.

the international community, and we are ready to provide advice and

:46:27.:46:30.

training and support of the new Libyan government. I can also form

:46:31.:46:36.

the house that a shining team of some 20 troops on the fourth

:46:37.:46:40.

industry grade is now moving to Tunisia to help counter illegal

:46:41.:46:44.

cross-border movement from Libya and support of the Tunisian authorities.

:46:45.:46:51.

Go to bed. A very sad and miserable away. So the last question. Their

:46:52.:47:00.

words have been proactive in terms of submitting reports of civilian

:47:01.:47:05.

casualties. We are grateful for the efforts. -- air war. Each case has

:47:06.:47:09.

been reviewed, and has the demonstrated that visibly casualties

:47:10.:47:12.

were not caused by UK activities. Our process are robust in the

:47:13.:47:18.

respect than others. But I would welcome any other further ideas

:47:19.:47:25.

about how they can add value. The department is now suing people to

:47:26.:47:29.

discuss accurate civilian casualty numbers. I am most grateful to the

:47:30.:47:34.

department if that is accurate. But will there were four that has been

:47:35.:47:39.

in the department now, some about compensation for the families of

:47:40.:47:43.

innocent victims of our bombing, will that report now be serviced? I

:47:44.:47:55.

have committed to review any such reports of the visit that civilian

:47:56.:48:01.

casualties. I have oversight at the whole process, including

:48:02.:48:05.

compensation. If he has specific cases that he wishes to raise,

:48:06.:48:14.

please do so. It is our operation against Daesh, which I reviewed

:48:15.:48:18.

earlier this month. 40, international counterparts in

:48:19.:48:23.

delivering our review commitments. To increase the size and power of

:48:24.:48:26.

our Armed Forces, to keep this country safe. With the Russian

:48:27.:48:34.

aggression that doesn't Daesh and growing cyber attack, can my right

:48:35.:48:38.

honourable friend confirm that the government is committed to spending

:48:39.:48:42.

2% of GDP every year, for this Parliament understands? And doesn't

:48:43.:48:50.

the Honorable Lady data to match this commitment so that labor is a

:48:51.:48:54.

risk to our security? That staggered to match. Questions must be about, I

:48:55.:49:02.

appreciate the earnestness and commitment. Question must be about

:49:03.:49:06.

government policy for which ministers are responsible. Order! Be

:49:07.:49:13.

quiet. Ministers are responsible for government policy, not that of the

:49:14.:49:18.

opposition. On the government's policy, he will not.

:49:19.:49:25.

Can I confirm, that this government is committed to spending 2% of GDP

:49:26.:49:30.

on defence every year of this Parliament. The defence budget will

:49:31.:49:37.

rise by North .5% above inflation every year this decade. The

:49:38.:49:40.

additional funding will be made available to the Armed Forces and

:49:41.:49:42.

intelligence agencies through the joint security funding. We have the

:49:43.:49:50.

largest defence budget and the European Union, and the

:49:51.:49:52.

second-largest in Nato. This keeps us safe. We circulated without

:49:53.:49:58.

delay, as all members of the Cabinet. I

:49:59.:50:05.

continues to create serious health risk, including leading to the loss

:50:06.:50:12.

of life in the Armed Forces. The Times higher in an civilian

:50:13.:50:15.

population. It is now a year since the defence select committee

:50:16.:50:19.

highlighted that the government strategy with the Armed Forces has

:50:20.:50:23.

not made any noticeable difference. What steps is the Minister now

:50:24.:50:27.

taking to set targets to manage alcohol consumption patterns and

:50:28.:50:33.

address this serious issue? In the Army, under the new Army leadership

:50:34.:50:36.

code, is taking steps to address this particular problem. I will

:50:37.:50:41.

write to the lady with further details. Clinical Lab government

:50:42.:50:51.

look at all the alternatives to our continuous. -- the old government.

:50:52.:50:56.

None are the operative protection. Does he agree with a two former

:50:57.:51:01.

lover defence secretaries, it is self-evident that a British nuclear

:51:02.:51:05.

deterrent will be essential to our security for decades to come. --

:51:06.:51:13.

former labor costs. In 2013, the alternative review concluded. That

:51:14.:51:17.

no system is a stable, or cost-effective at the current

:51:18.:51:24.

database deterrent. There is no alternative, the part-time

:51:25.:51:25.

deterrents are half-baked measures currently being suggested by some

:51:26.:51:29.

members of the body opposite, could be exploited by our adversaries. And

:51:30.:51:33.

to present a real danger to the safety and security the UK. Russian

:51:34.:51:40.

bomber targets, civilians, Sarah, driver refugee crisis to the shores

:51:41.:51:49.

of Europe. New -- Russia's Vegas to haul and short on the civilian

:51:50.:51:55.

population to design was established in for the second quarter. --

:51:56.:51:59.

Russia's failure. That is why important that the cease-fire holds

:52:00.:52:06.

and Russia returns to a more constructive part, and working with

:52:07.:52:09.

us to get this terrible civil war ended. With the body of the

:52:10.:52:15.

sophistication of cyber attacks gone so rapidly, and number of which are

:52:16.:52:22.

sorted by the GHQ, what that survey taken to assure our rotting defence

:52:23.:52:24.

budget actually translates to enhance sovereign capability in

:52:25.:52:32.

cyber? I patiently to all of his constituents that worked there

:52:33.:52:36.

protecting against cyber attacks. We have increased spending in this area

:52:37.:52:44.

to 2.5 billion, and 80% of cyber attacks are able to be prevented by

:52:45.:52:51.

answering the simple, straightforward to practice. A lot

:52:52.:52:53.

of that investment will be going to protect British businesses and

:52:54.:53:01.

private individuals in that respect. The SDSR in 2012,... 16 billion

:53:02.:53:11.

allocated for nuclear submarines, some that has been massive cuts

:53:12.:53:15.

elsewhere to support that. The that's a clever plan, which asked on

:53:16.:53:21.

the subject is. Can the Minister then commit to providing for the

:53:22.:53:25.

clarity of the changes that will affect... That is a bit of a

:53:26.:53:35.

subject. We will be publishing the next annual alliteration and an

:53:36.:53:41.

excellent with them straight there will be an addition of public and

:53:42.:53:45.

bounds committed to spending on military equipment over the next ten

:53:46.:53:51.

years. Cohabitation before he sees how that is allocated. It was in

:53:52.:53:59.

December 2014, will the Secretary of State told this house that the legal

:54:00.:54:07.

aid to Cave, should be reimbursed. Add this to do that it will be

:54:08.:54:10.

reimbursed and given the timescales that I pass so far, when has he

:54:11.:54:16.

think the money will be received? We are waiting the little ad agency

:54:17.:54:20.

response to our request to revoke the legal aid award on the grounds

:54:21.:54:25.

that it would not have been made in the first place, have the agency

:54:26.:54:29.

been made aware of all relevant document dictation in the case. We

:54:30.:54:33.

are waiting on that judgement but we believe it is imminent. Not content,

:54:34.:54:42.

with comparing himself to our country's wartime leader, a Sevilla

:54:43.:54:46.

the free world. This weekend, the Mayor of London compared his

:54:47.:54:50.

opposition to the EU, to James Bond, taking on a sinister, supernational

:54:51.:54:56.

organisation. Can ask the Secretary of State weather in all his dealings

:54:57.:55:02.

with intelligence and security services, such as similarity has

:55:03.:55:08.

ever occurred to him? I don't think it would be wise, and would not be

:55:09.:55:12.

proper to discuss in the conversations I have had it with the

:55:13.:55:14.

intelligence and security communities.

:55:15.:55:21.

Can my friend confirm that would have to spend hundred million

:55:22.:55:30.

pounds, and that the money is spent on iTunes and give give them the

:55:31.:55:36.

best support in the equipment? I think he read of a good point. The

:55:37.:55:41.

money that we are having to spend on a malicious allegations against him

:55:42.:55:45.

forces will be better spent on equipment and training for them. I

:55:46.:55:49.

can give some assurance that commercial, legal spending end of

:55:50.:55:51.

the department is down at third on last year. In specific relation, the

:55:52.:56:00.

amount spent, we are doing our what we can to assure that it works more

:56:01.:56:04.

effectively and efficiently. I've had good conversations with the

:56:05.:56:09.

Attorney General's Office. He'll be busy to them shortly. Given the

:56:10.:56:14.

increasing double counting of this expenditure to the ODA and Nato

:56:15.:56:18.

target, mechanisms such as the conflict security and stability

:56:19.:56:22.

fund, with discussion has they had with the Chancellor about the

:56:23.:56:27.

redefinition of always be? It is for the OED, development aid spending

:56:28.:56:36.

and for Nato to classify what is acceptable as defence spending,

:56:37.:56:37.

which will do Given the importance of our new

:56:38.:56:50.

Google national security, can my honourable friend tell the House

:56:51.:56:53.

would support the government has in this policy in this important area?

:56:54.:57:01.

I have so far received conflicting representations on the future of our

:57:02.:57:05.

nuclear deterrent. There are mainstream members of the party

:57:06.:57:08.

opposite as there are right across this house who support us -- support

:57:09.:57:14.

every previous government the nuclear church deterrent that has

:57:15.:57:17.

kept discovering -- government say. Other parts of the party seemed to

:57:18.:57:21.

think we can turn our nuclear sub greens into water taxis. Germany and

:57:22.:57:29.

Sweden have stopped selling weapons to Saudi Arabia as a result of

:57:30.:57:34.

concerns over Saudi Arabia and -- Saudi actions in Yemen. What about

:57:35.:57:39.

the ban of arms sales to Saudi Arabia? All of our defence exports

:57:40.:57:45.

to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or any country goes through the same

:57:46.:57:48.

rigorous export control system that we have in place which we are proud

:57:49.:57:52.

of. It is more rigorous we believe than any other country. That will be

:57:53.:57:56.

the case while this government is in power. I recently visited the

:57:57.:58:03.

Marines on Arctic warfare training in Norway, my honourable friend is

:58:04.:58:11.

and the honourable lady from their various constituencies. Will my

:58:12.:58:15.

honourable friend join me in applauding one group, one of the

:58:16.:58:22.

elite, forces in the world and explain how the strategic defence

:58:23.:58:24.

and security review will be supporting more Marines. My

:58:25.:58:30.

honourable friend is very brave to have joined the Royal Marines in the

:58:31.:58:35.

Arctic. I pay tribute to her and her colleagues for doing so. We are

:58:36.:58:40.

committed to maintaining fitness capability, we will be making

:58:41.:58:44.

modifications to one of the two Queen Elizabeth carriers to ensure

:58:45.:58:47.

that persists for the for suitable future and the life of that

:58:48.:58:56.

platform. Under this prime minister, police personnel has dropped 340

:58:57.:59:03.

from 1482 1140. Police numbers have dropped 80 from 1700 to 1620 and

:59:04.:59:08.

Royal Navy police numbers have dropped 40 from 342 300. Does the

:59:09.:59:14.

Secretary of State think these cuts under the Prime Minister are

:59:15.:59:20.

acceptable? The task that we allocate our personnel are there for

:59:21.:59:25.

operational reasons. That is how we allocate, not only the liability of

:59:26.:59:30.

each of our services but also the trades that sit within them. Along

:59:31.:59:37.

with many of my colleagues I also talked during recess and had the

:59:38.:59:41.

pleasure of visiting the fourth. They were concerned about the

:59:42.:59:46.

economic point of view. From a national security point of view will

:59:47.:59:50.

my right honourable friend confirm if government will always defend the

:59:51.:59:54.

right to the Islanders to defend them I could determine their own

:59:55.:00:01.

future? As I said earlier it was a pleasure to be the first defence

:00:02.:00:04.

secretary to visit the island for over a decade to meet over the 1200

:00:05.:00:08.

service personnel who are based there and to confirm our investment

:00:09.:00:14.

programme of 180 million over the next ten years. Unlike the Labour

:00:15.:00:19.

Party, there is nobody who can be in any doubt about our commitment to

:00:20.:00:23.

the right of the Islanders to determine their own future and not

:00:24.:00:29.

have it bargained away by a possible labour government reaching some

:00:30.:00:36.

accommodation with Argentina. My constituent Chris Hartley was

:00:37.:00:40.

wounded while serving our arm versus in Syria by a rocket to know --

:00:41.:00:45.

rocket propelled grenade. He lost his right leg above the knee. He is

:00:46.:00:49.

unable to get funding or in HS support for a life-changing

:00:50.:00:52.

operation that would allow him to work and restore some of the pride

:00:53.:00:56.

he had before his injury. Will you meet with the Department of health

:00:57.:01:00.

and myself to discuss what can be done to help my constituency who

:01:01.:01:04.

gave so much to this country? I would be delighted. Is it not the

:01:05.:01:10.

case of the United Kingdom left European Union and it is more

:01:11.:01:13.

rightly that France and Germany would dominate Europe's defence

:01:14.:01:18.

structures. Meaning the median term over the horizon that we are more

:01:19.:01:23.

likely to see European defence structures compete rather than

:01:24.:01:28.

complement Nato? My honourable friend has made his views in this

:01:29.:01:33.

great debate very clear. As I said to the House earlier, Nato is the

:01:34.:01:39.

cornerstone of our security, the European Union compliments that with

:01:40.:01:44.

a number of other levers and weapons at its disposal. Humanitarian,

:01:45.:01:48.

diplomatic, and economic and there is no doubt in my mind that the

:01:49.:01:54.

fracturing of either the alliance or the union would not aid the

:01:55.:01:58.

collective security of the West. Have any embedded British pilots

:01:59.:02:03.

flown in emissions at all into Libya? -- missions. No. Since the

:02:04.:02:17.

parliamentary vote on Syria at the beginning of December, there have

:02:18.:02:22.

been 319 RAF air strikes against Daesh in Iraq and 43 RAF air strikes

:02:23.:02:28.

against Daesh and Syria. Since we have been targeting the head of the

:02:29.:02:31.

snake, why have the bed and seven and a half times more air strikes in

:02:32.:02:38.

Iraq? There are more I struck -- air strikes in Iraq and then Syria in

:02:39.:02:42.

December and indeed January because we were engaged in assisting the

:02:43.:02:47.

Iraqi forces liberate Ramani which is where most of the military action

:02:48.:02:52.

was and assisting the Kurdish forces in the liberation of a city further

:02:53.:02:59.

north. But as I discussed with my fellow ministers in Brussels, it is

:03:00.:03:04.

also important to continue to attack the infrastructure that supports the

:03:05.:03:09.

Daesh, including the oil wellheads from which it derives its revenue

:03:10.:03:13.

and some of our strikes have been on those oil fields in eastern Syria.

:03:14.:03:21.

Urgent question, Eva Cooper. To ask the home Secretary to make a

:03:22.:03:23.

statement on child refugees in

:03:24.:03:24.

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