:00:07. > :00:12.Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament live coverage of from the House of
:00:13. > :00:16.Commons. The Prime Minister will make a statement on the future of
:00:17. > :00:20.the Armed Forces. Including details of an extra ?12 billion of spending
:00:21. > :00:24.on equipment. They're also be two new strike rates by 2025. Statement
:00:25. > :00:28.is also expected to set the scene for David Cameron's tries to
:00:29. > :00:32.persuade the MPs that Britain should get involved with air strikes and
:00:33. > :00:36.serious. After that the government will try to put the all stages of
:00:37. > :00:41.the Northern Ireland Welfare Reform Bill. Is the latest all party built
:00:42. > :00:50.to keep the default demonstration up-and-coming. Has support of all,
:00:51. > :00:55.... Member to join me for the round up of the day in both houses at
:00:56. > :00:59.11:00pm. First we have questions to the Defense Secretary Michael Fallon
:01:00. > :01:04.and his team of ministers. First question is from Labour MP, Nick
:01:05. > :01:11.Smith about what steps he's taken to ensure that defence industry
:01:12. > :01:19.benefits the UK. The second question -- let's hear the question. Order!
:01:20. > :01:27.Order! Questions of the Secretary of State for Defense. Mr Nick Smith. Mr
:01:28. > :01:32.Speaker that should teach it to friends of security review will very
:01:33. > :01:37.shortly set out the honourable gentleman of the House how we will
:01:38. > :01:41.invest more and bigger and stronger defence for Britain. The British
:01:42. > :01:46.defence industry plays a vital role in helping to deliver more planes,
:01:47. > :01:51.ships and armour vehicles for our Armed Forces. We are looking at how
:01:52. > :01:56.we can drive greater innovation and how we can maximise the use of SMEs
:01:57. > :02:03.and how we can ensure the future decisions contribute to a more
:02:04. > :02:07.dynamic and productive economy. The important armoured vehicle programme
:02:08. > :02:13.for the Army has been in the pipeline for years. It uses Swedish
:02:14. > :02:24.Nibert is still. We have told our specialist steel makers... When will
:02:25. > :02:27.they ask they can produce this steel? As with all major defence
:02:28. > :02:33.programmes the contractors determine the materials, including sourcing
:02:34. > :02:39.still on the basis of comparative cost, time and quality. In 2010 no
:02:40. > :02:45.UK steel manufacturers were able to meet the prime contractors
:02:46. > :02:48.requirements so no UK supplied steel for the programme. I can confirm to
:02:49. > :02:56.the honourable gentleman that it takes a great deal of interest in
:02:57. > :03:01.this because Ajax vehicles will be assembled next his constituency,
:03:02. > :03:05.some 2700 tonnes around 30% of the still requirement remains open to
:03:06. > :03:09.competition. And our petition is already under way to suffice as a
:03:10. > :03:18.turning armour which is open for UK firms to apply. And number of
:03:19. > :03:22.colleagues and I visit our new magnificent aircraft carriers last
:03:23. > :03:25.week. There some interest that we learned this morning that apparently
:03:26. > :03:29.the government is intending to order a large number of joint shark
:03:30. > :03:34.fighters took with not only those aircraft carriers but also the world
:03:35. > :03:39.aircraft. I wonder if my honourable friend can confirm the truth in this
:03:40. > :03:48.substantial increase in our fighting capability. --. He's a very
:03:49. > :03:50.experienced member of his house. The after this defence questions we have
:03:51. > :03:54.a statement from the Prime Minister who I'm quite sure will be able to
:03:55. > :04:06.do that... Address the question he just posed to me? It is excellent to
:04:07. > :04:11.welcome the Minister again last week and to make another show of the
:04:12. > :04:18.bipartisan support we have for renewing the UK nuclear deterrent
:04:19. > :04:25.Ada. Is a still a prospect of getting the main boat before
:04:26. > :04:29.Christmas? -- vote. I am grateful for him for reminding the House back
:04:30. > :04:34.on Thursday last week I accompanied him into his constituency to
:04:35. > :04:38.recognise the signature of the contract for the fifth astute
:04:39. > :04:40.measure. It was good to think of many of his constituents who have
:04:41. > :04:47.been involved in the construction. With regard to the investment
:04:48. > :04:54.decision, I think again that is a subject that will come up shortly.
:04:55. > :05:02.Of course it is true that the defence industry can no longer
:05:03. > :05:06.sources requirements from the UK steel energy because of a loss of
:05:07. > :05:09.capability. Will he work with colleagues and with the defence
:05:10. > :05:15.industry and steel producers to ensure that there is a long-term
:05:16. > :05:18.plan for the future that UK still has developed the capabilities to
:05:19. > :05:23.work in this industry with light of work in this industry with light of
:05:24. > :05:26.course the Minister of defence is participating in the working group
:05:27. > :05:32.that was established last month am right honourable friend the Business
:05:33. > :05:37.Secretary. I have to say that while still is clearly a very significant
:05:38. > :05:41.and important component to match defence manufacturer, all of our
:05:42. > :05:50.major current programmes in work, the steel is involved it represents
:05:51. > :05:53.less than 1.5% of the total of steel manufactured in this country in
:05:54. > :05:57.2013. Relatively speaking, while important, it is a small pitcher
:05:58. > :06:05.Victor to the total steel produced in this country. Can I welcome the
:06:06. > :06:16.newspaper report we will see shortly that the deal is to reverse his own
:06:17. > :06:22.decision, one of the most visible signs in 2010 with the photographs
:06:23. > :06:29.of our materials being cut up into pieces. Can I get asked the Minister
:06:30. > :06:34.when will the first of these interactive service? The honourable
:06:35. > :06:39.lady may recall that the programme she refers to was commissioned under
:06:40. > :06:45.the previous Labour government, it was over ?1 billion over budget. It
:06:46. > :06:53.was reduced in scale under the previous Labour government to
:06:54. > :06:57.over... In the prototype aircraft that was produced had more defects
:06:58. > :07:00.than any other previous aircraft in production. We were not sure that it
:07:01. > :07:04.would ever fly. Was the right decision to take at the time and I
:07:05. > :07:08.was the right decision, the Prime Minister is about to announce it, to
:07:09. > :07:15.have a replacement capability. We will have to hear one that will be
:07:16. > :07:19.available. Mr Speaker, the UK has been about as vital capability for
:07:20. > :07:24.four years as a result of right or wrong, that decision that he refers
:07:25. > :07:30.to in 2010. Just today we read that Britain is have to call on native
:07:31. > :07:33.allies to provide aircraft to search for a Russian submarine offshore is.
:07:34. > :07:42.Can you give us a definite date for which he will again have our own
:07:43. > :07:47.maritime patrol aircraft. I am sorry to support the right honourable
:07:48. > :07:51.lady, but here we are 20 minutes to three. She has to be a little bit
:07:52. > :07:56.more patient and see what the Prime Minister announces in his favour and
:07:57. > :08:04.little this afternoon. I'm sure she will be there to hear the statement.
:08:05. > :08:11.The UK respects the sovereign responsibilities of the eight Arctic
:08:12. > :08:15.states, while promoting our own interests in the region. We engage
:08:16. > :08:21.with the security of the region through the Arctic security forces
:08:22. > :08:26.round table and of course directly with Arctic nations. We maintain a
:08:27. > :08:28.naval air assets capable of deploying to the region and Arctic
:08:29. > :08:38.trained and equipped forces including elements of re-commanding
:08:39. > :08:47.grades. I was confirmed that the Russian spy ship had passed through
:08:48. > :09:00.UK warders, this undermines the fact that Scotland... Will the Minister
:09:01. > :09:09.confirm when we will see UK enables efficient three days and when will
:09:10. > :09:16.we see the re-establishment of that? Place-mac I cannot confirm what he
:09:17. > :09:23.asked for. And he will wait until 3:30pm he should hear some excellent
:09:24. > :09:27.news for Scotland. There'll be no questions that they will be
:09:28. > :09:35.treating... That will lead to stress is if we do not have it corrected.
:09:36. > :09:46.The UK has a fantastic offer in terms of those were trained in the
:09:47. > :09:51.region. Secondly submarines, we have not trained our submarines to work
:09:52. > :09:56.under the Arctic ice. I am grateful for his question. He will have to
:09:57. > :10:06.wait until 3:30pm until confirmation on the feature of our capabilities.
:10:07. > :10:12.I have taken on board his point of under eye submarines. Perhaps I can
:10:13. > :10:19.help the minister with a question that does not involve waiting to
:10:20. > :10:28.3:30pm. My understanding is that a lot of our focus is on Northeast
:10:29. > :10:40.Africa. Would you agree that... That a Russian submarine, it would be
:10:41. > :10:46.naive to trust also take our ... Order! Can I gently implored members
:10:47. > :10:49.to proceed a little but were quickly. We have a lot to get
:10:50. > :11:06.through. Both questions and answers are lengthy. I really agree with the
:11:07. > :11:09.honourable member opposite. Mr Speaker, Ayrton patrol aircraft
:11:10. > :11:13.featured largely in last years referendum. What my honourable
:11:14. > :11:16.friend agree with me that they are pretty pointless. Manned or unmanned
:11:17. > :11:20.unless there is debate about gathering and analysis technology to
:11:21. > :11:29.do with it. And the wherewithal to respond to many threats that emerge,
:11:30. > :11:35.something the SMP felt to offer last year. -- failed. I entirely agree
:11:36. > :11:43.with my honourable friend indeed. Indeed. Behind bars is becoming one
:11:44. > :11:52.of the world strategic hotspot. With the Minister agree that a nation
:11:53. > :12:00.like ours to seek the assistance with friends in Canada and keeping a
:12:01. > :12:03.hostile submarine is embarrassing. Can he confirm that this is the
:12:04. > :12:10.fourth time we have had to call on such assistance? The honourable
:12:11. > :12:15.member will have to wait until 3:30pm for details. But, I will
:12:16. > :12:20.remind him that the defence Select Committee should the governments
:12:21. > :12:25.feel that the programme was dying. I am very glad that it will be
:12:26. > :12:32.possible to give better news later on today. The lack of naval
:12:33. > :12:43.capability in the high North is indeed a worry. Even at 14 months
:12:44. > :12:45.ago... With the Secretary of State, or the Minister like to take this
:12:46. > :12:51.opportunity to make sure that the promise that was made to them will
:12:52. > :13:03.indeed be kept. Will be agree with me that if that promises not kept it
:13:04. > :13:08.will be shameful. I cannot give him a detailed answer. But I can't say
:13:09. > :13:13.that the future of Carl Wood even brighter after 3:30 p.m.. We have
:13:14. > :13:20.just completed in the last few months of the largest far North
:13:21. > :13:28.exercise in history. -- the future of Scotland. I would like to answer
:13:29. > :13:32.this question with number 17. The United Kingdom is making significant
:13:33. > :13:38.top donor contribution to the international counter Isil programme
:13:39. > :13:42.is. And in helping to train Iraqi forces, in addition to the
:13:43. > :13:46.intelligence cooperation and border security support we have offered to
:13:47. > :13:52.France, the House will wish to know that I have authorised the use of
:13:53. > :13:58.IRS... As a divergent effort for French aircraft striking in Syria.
:13:59. > :14:02.Many of us on all sides of the awful support the government as they make
:14:03. > :14:06.the intelligent case for extending the air campaign into serious. We
:14:07. > :14:10.totally reject the accusation that such a movement will be a tester.
:14:11. > :14:16.Will my right honourable friend agree that our allies, not us, our
:14:17. > :14:20.allies will be diminishing Isil command control, restricting their
:14:21. > :14:26.ability to move en masse and restricting their ability to take
:14:27. > :14:32.control of more ground. Is it not time to stop subcontracting our
:14:33. > :14:36.security to our friends. -- Syria. I agree we should not lead the fight
:14:37. > :14:45.to French aircraft, American aircraft or Australian aircraft.
:14:46. > :14:48.While we are working to establish a inconclusive government in the Civil
:14:49. > :14:52.War and build more security for the Sunni areas of Syria, that should
:14:53. > :14:59.not delay us or deter us from degrading Isil in eastern Syria,
:15:00. > :15:04.from where they are directing their war in their region and directly
:15:05. > :15:08.threatening us. The chief of Defense staff said that not striking Isil in
:15:09. > :15:12.its heartland in Syria a football team trying to win a match without
:15:13. > :15:17.injuring the oppositions half. Is a long overdue that we pitched up the
:15:18. > :15:25.page and started to defend our goal line. -- pushed up the pitch. It
:15:26. > :15:29.moves between both, while the world Air Force can only strike in Iraq.
:15:30. > :15:33.It is a logical for us to be hitting Isil targets in Iraq while not
:15:34. > :15:42.targeting Isil poor leadership, its lines of communication and it
:15:43. > :15:50.revenue base, all found in Syria. What steps is he taking to squeeze
:15:51. > :15:54.the supply chain of Isil. They are not just supplied by organisations
:15:55. > :15:56.in the region, you must also be countries in establishment outside
:15:57. > :16:03.of the region supplying Isil with those arms. Yes, we are intensifying
:16:04. > :16:08.our efforts to cut off their sources of finance in particular its ability
:16:09. > :16:12.to sell oil on the international market. We are also directly
:16:13. > :16:23.targeting the supply route between Syria in Iraq,. The Democratic Union
:16:24. > :16:33.party holds political power in all three provinces, of northern Syria.
:16:34. > :16:39.Will the government be undertaking any communication or liaison with
:16:40. > :16:46.the PYP as it continues to exist in the region. This is a matter
:16:47. > :16:51.discussed recently the Prime Minister and the foreign defence
:16:52. > :16:56.minister of Turkey. We will want to see the pushback from that border
:16:57. > :17:02.and the pocket between the two of the Kurdish areas. Let me emphasise
:17:03. > :17:08.that all parties in Syria, Kurds, Shia, Sunni, Christian and Jews all
:17:09. > :17:11.have to be brought into the process to deliver Syria a more inclusive
:17:12. > :17:19.government backing and this Civil War. History gives us practically no
:17:20. > :17:27.examples of undetermined surrendering in response to the
:17:28. > :17:31.conventional air bombardment. What ground forces are credibly and
:17:32. > :17:39.seriously fighting Isil, Daesh in Syria other than some unpleasant
:17:40. > :17:44.Islamist groups, the Kurds in a limited area and the Syrian
:17:45. > :17:49.government army? There are moderate forces fighting Daesh into serious.
:17:50. > :17:54.But they have also been engaged in the Civil War this. The key is to
:17:55. > :18:00.end it as quickly as possible so that we can focus on dealing with
:18:01. > :18:07.Daesh. There are a number of troops already involved in that. -- Syria.
:18:08. > :18:12.We have been hoping -- helping to train them. He will continue to work
:18:13. > :18:24.with them to ensure that Syria is rid of I aside and Daesh. --. It
:18:25. > :18:32.talks about the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The
:18:33. > :18:36.majority of victims were young Muslim women. Will the Secretary of
:18:37. > :18:45.State on the cross party consensus in this chamber and follow the
:18:46. > :18:51.example of President Hollande... Does he not accept that the language
:18:52. > :18:58.we use is important in millisecond next Muslims and terrorists is
:18:59. > :19:01.dangerous. I agree with almost all of that. I do not have time to read
:19:02. > :19:08.the report and the Independent that she refers to. I myself prefer the
:19:09. > :19:16.term Daesh as I think it is more accurate and it does not embrace the
:19:17. > :19:19.word Islam. But Isil has become, and Isis have become accepted terms, it
:19:20. > :19:25.may be too late to make that particular change. Does my right
:19:26. > :19:28.honourable friend agree that there's a direct threat to the UK and we
:19:29. > :19:36.should not consider all necessary steps to stop it on all fronts. I
:19:37. > :19:41.agree with that. I know my honourable friend will have noted
:19:42. > :19:45.the result though the resolution passed to that affect. We have to
:19:46. > :19:50.confirm it by all means at our disposal. Not in terms of defending
:19:51. > :19:54.our territory here, but striking searching groups in doing with the
:19:55. > :20:01.politically, culturally, financially and indeed ideologically. People on
:20:02. > :20:03.all sides of the House will welcome the United Nations Security Council
:20:04. > :20:10.resolution passed on Friday night. Calling on Member States to take all
:20:11. > :20:13.necessary measures against Isil /Daesh. Can the defence secretary
:20:14. > :20:17.reassured members on the outside of the House that there is any proposed
:20:18. > :20:22.military action in Syria there is also a parallel plan for peace to
:20:23. > :20:26.end the reign of terror and to have a timetable for traditional
:20:27. > :20:30.government in Syria and protection for religious and ethnic minorities
:20:31. > :20:39.in the country? I fully accept that we have to persuade them. There's a
:20:40. > :20:41.political track as well, the Prime Minister will be were prying towards
:20:42. > :20:45.the end of this week for the questions quite legitimately posed
:20:46. > :20:49.by the Foreign Affairs Committee to deal with exactly that. A
:20:50. > :21:00.traditional government put into place -- transitional. And how that
:21:01. > :21:05.will lead to the provision of security particularly in the Sunni
:21:06. > :21:10.areas in northern Syria. -- not in itself delay us from dealing with
:21:11. > :21:13.this terrorist mass that has already brought slaughter to the streets of
:21:14. > :21:18.Paris and has already resulted in the deaths of our own citizens on a
:21:19. > :21:29.beach in Tunisia and one of our citizens in Paris itself. It is
:21:30. > :21:32.dangerous to wounded enemy, especially if it is a wild beast are
:21:33. > :21:38.fighting, given that no air campaign alone has ever dislodged a
:21:39. > :21:44.determined enemy. After we bombed Syria, what is the plan, where's the
:21:45. > :21:52.strategy? Troops will we produce -- ground troops. The Iraqi forces and
:21:53. > :21:59.Kurdish forces will push Isis out of Iraq and we have had some success.
:22:00. > :22:05.In Syria we will need ground forces that are local, locally supported.
:22:06. > :22:07.When you talk to prime ministers in Baghdad, he does not want British
:22:08. > :22:11.troops or American troops on the ground. That will further
:22:12. > :22:16.radicalised the areas. Particularly in the Sunni areas, on the is a
:22:17. > :22:20.battle that has to be won by locally supported troops and local forces
:22:21. > :22:25.that have the support of the local population. -- not the terrorists
:22:26. > :22:30.for making a start in dealing with high school from where it is being
:22:31. > :22:37.directed -- dealing with Isil from where it is being directed. I will
:22:38. > :22:45.like to answer questions and for together. Is reflective in need of
:22:46. > :22:50.kind does not competitive price. UK suppliers have provided significant
:22:51. > :22:54.quantities of steel for programmes whatever they have been able to meet
:22:55. > :22:59.specified standards. Our new government guidelines published last
:23:00. > :23:06.week will help UK steel suppliers compete effectively with
:23:07. > :23:15.international suppliers. He will be aware that Swedish still Mac was
:23:16. > :23:18.used -- steel. Many in the still communities feel this is betrothed.
:23:19. > :23:27.Is the field that British produced steel should be specified in order
:23:28. > :23:33.to protect the industry. I am sure you will agree with me that the
:23:34. > :23:37.steel that is specified needs to be the steel that can do the job. Asked
:23:38. > :23:40.who can supply that, we are open-minded about that. We are
:23:41. > :23:43.adopting the new government guidelines in relation to the
:23:44. > :23:58.offshore patrol vessels Thomas on 20% of the requirement was sourced
:23:59. > :24:05.to UK steel. Other countries support the industries, why not Britain?
:24:06. > :24:13.This is why this government has set up a working group, the steel
:24:14. > :24:16.procurement group. The Ministry of Defense is sitting on that group and
:24:17. > :24:23.making sure that future orders are open to UK firms to tender. You can
:24:24. > :24:28.bet your bottom dollar, Mr Speaker, or I should say your bottom euro
:24:29. > :24:34.that European countries will not be abiding by European Union law as far
:24:35. > :24:37.as procurement is concerned. Can my honourable friend confirm, I ensure
:24:38. > :24:44.that he can, that we will do all that we can to secure Butte does not
:24:45. > :24:56.British steel is used provided the quality needed. The answer to your
:24:57. > :24:59.question is yes. No one who has listened to the ministers insisted
:25:00. > :25:02.they will have any real confidence that he is going to take any serious
:25:03. > :25:10.steps to ensure that British steel was used on the purchase of the...
:25:11. > :25:12.That we expect to hear about shortly. Can the Minister say a
:25:13. > :25:17.little bit more about measures he will take to justify the answer he
:25:18. > :25:24.has given to the honourable gentleman. Black B are able
:25:25. > :25:34.gentleman is right to point to the type 26 Booker meant as the next
:25:35. > :25:37.major platform. We are determined as a government that is keen to support
:25:38. > :25:41.our steel industry that contractors will have the industry to source
:25:42. > :25:50.that still from the UK. We will do as much as we can to help them with
:25:51. > :25:54.that. Clinical studies and audits have been undertaken by my
:25:55. > :26:00.defence... Those reports are a matter of public record. This is not
:26:01. > :26:05.our first line treatment and it makes up about 1% of our starts. For
:26:06. > :26:11.some people deployed in certain parts of the world it'll be the best
:26:12. > :26:17.drug to protect them from malaria. It is becoming that those who have
:26:18. > :26:21.had the drug had not been assessed fully before the usage. My
:26:22. > :26:28.constituents are those who are suffering most with a high level of
:26:29. > :26:31.potential suicides, increased mental concerns and stress level issues,
:26:32. > :26:35.can the Minister confirm that they will be doing a thorough review of
:26:36. > :26:37.the use of the drug. And all personnel will be assessed before it
:26:38. > :26:45.is used again? There is an individual risk
:26:46. > :26:48.assessment of the patient, but in addition to that, as soon as the
:26:49. > :26:52.prescription is entered onto the electronic record system, there is a
:26:53. > :26:57.warning that is flagged to ensure that the prescriber is absolutely
:26:58. > :27:03.sure that the recipient has had no mental health problems. In addition
:27:04. > :27:06.to that, that policy is altered by... I would save to all members of
:27:07. > :27:11.his house, that they have constituents think care about -- are
:27:12. > :27:20.concerned about, please seek medical help. Thank you Mr Speaker, I and
:27:21. > :27:22.Doris the honourable member for what they said. And I welcome the
:27:23. > :27:25.Minister's reply having suffered that myself and those consequences,
:27:26. > :27:34.I would ask her to look at the alternatives as to which there are
:27:35. > :27:36.several, less bad side effects. I thank the honourable gentleman for
:27:37. > :27:43.that and I would reassure him that this is not our first line drug. I'm
:27:44. > :27:47.afraid that certain parts of the world, and given individuals
:27:48. > :27:51.particular medical history, this is currently the only course of action
:27:52. > :28:00.sometimes. There is a coming online and that will be looked at.
:28:01. > :28:04.Supporting moderates is a key part of our help in Syria so they can
:28:05. > :28:08.take our place in the transitional government that is needed to defeat
:28:09. > :28:12.Isil and provide security throughout Syria. In the last 12 months, we
:28:13. > :28:19.have helped to train members of the moderate armed opposition and help
:28:20. > :28:21.save lives, bolstered civil society, counter extremism and lay the
:28:22. > :28:27.foundation for a better future in Syria. To the government not
:28:28. > :28:32.recognise that it is part of the solution to the Isis issue, we
:28:33. > :28:36.need... To the government not recognise this as a failed policy,
:28:37. > :28:40.by investing in the client in a proxy in Civil war, all we're doing
:28:41. > :28:44.is escalating that war and perpetuating it with a greater
:28:45. > :28:49.number of deaths? I do not agree with that. To work we are doing in
:28:50. > :28:57.Iraq to support the democratic government of Iraq, at its request,
:28:58. > :29:04.has stemmed and I on rush of Isil and has started to Bush Isil back,
:29:05. > :29:08.from the Euphrates, and we need to be doing this in Syria, coming to
:29:09. > :29:14.the aid of moderate forces in Syria who want to be free both of us odd
:29:15. > :29:19.who is bombing his own civilians and Isil that represents a threat to us
:29:20. > :29:26.all. What evidence is there on the ground that the free Syrian army is
:29:27. > :29:31.recalibrating its efforts, increasing it against Isil and
:29:32. > :29:37.reducing it against Assad? The picture in northern Syria is
:29:38. > :29:43.particularly confused, it is not a simple conflict with front lines as
:29:44. > :29:48.we would normally understand them. But it is our long-term objective
:29:49. > :29:54.that Syria should be free of both Assad and others to work -- we
:29:55. > :29:57.continue to work with others to provide the equipment they need and
:29:58. > :30:07.when we can, provide them with training outside Syria itself. Any
:30:08. > :30:12.consolidation of Air Force stations is being considered as part of the
:30:13. > :30:16.defence to put strategy. The threats we face are growing in scale,
:30:17. > :30:23.diversity, and complexity, therefore we are determined to configure our
:30:24. > :30:26.support of military capabilities. I'm grateful to my honourable friend
:30:27. > :30:32.for that answer and he will know that Lincolnshire is the home of the
:30:33. > :30:36.RAF. Can need give an agreement that that should remain the case and
:30:37. > :30:40.there are very good reasons for consolidating more personnel and
:30:41. > :30:45.assets into our County? My honourable friend is a champion, not
:30:46. > :30:53.only for his constituency but also for Lincolnshire. I am saying he is
:30:54. > :30:58.right that with the -- I cannot give any further details today, not even
:30:59. > :31:07.half past three, but I hope to have further information in due course.
:31:08. > :31:14.With permission Mr Speaker, I would like to answer questions eight and
:31:15. > :31:17.16 together stopping the government provides a comprehensive programme
:31:18. > :31:20.of support for ex-service personnel. This includes an excellent
:31:21. > :31:23.resettlement package for those returning to civilian life.
:31:24. > :31:27.High-quality pension and compensation schemes, and measures
:31:28. > :31:33.to meet health and welfare needs. The Armed Forces... Ensuring
:31:34. > :31:38.veterans are not disadvantaged as a part of their service in the armed
:31:39. > :31:45.forces. I thank the Minister for his response. Veterans represent the
:31:46. > :31:48.largest single cohort within the overall prison population. Can the
:31:49. > :31:55.Minister confirm with the department is doing to address this issue and
:31:56. > :31:57.the importance of charities and it's Radek Phoenix which reintroduce the
:31:58. > :32:02.offended in this important programme? My honourable friend will
:32:03. > :32:04.understand that veterans in prison are the responsibility of the
:32:05. > :32:09.Minister of Justice, however, the latest figures that I have suggest
:32:10. > :32:16.that the prison population which are veterans is three and a half
:32:17. > :32:22.percent. All prisoners with military history are eligible for services
:32:23. > :32:30.from the service and in addition, Armed Forces charities including the
:32:31. > :32:36.Royal... Sin caseworkers to support veterans in some prisons. Thank you
:32:37. > :32:40.Mr Speaker, embers of our armed forces put themselves not only great
:32:41. > :32:42.physical danger and also psychological pressures to defend
:32:43. > :32:49.our country and our people. What provisions are being put in place to
:32:50. > :32:54.help veterans of and others struggling with mental health
:32:55. > :32:57.issues? We are determined to ensure veterans with mental health issues
:32:58. > :33:03.are provided with appropriate support. England spends ?1.8 million
:33:04. > :33:09.every year on mental health services for veterans, including veteran
:33:10. > :33:14.mental health teams. A further ?18 million of funding is place to
:33:15. > :33:22.combat posttraumatic stress disorder programme for veterans. A further a
:33:23. > :33:27.4p of government funding will provide -- it will be provided over
:33:28. > :33:30.the next five years. What conversations have taken place with
:33:31. > :33:35.the chancellor to discuss the impact of tax credit courts on military
:33:36. > :33:40.families including those of military veterans? I'm sure this is an issue
:33:41. > :33:44.that has been discussed and will be addressed later this week when the
:33:45. > :33:50.Chancellor makes his announcement. What support is the Ministry of
:33:51. > :33:53.defence able to give local authorities like my own, which are
:33:54. > :34:00.very keen in establishing homes for heroes? I recently announce that we
:34:01. > :34:04.are about to undertake a review of this practice and following
:34:05. > :34:07.conversations with the chair of the local Government Association, we
:34:08. > :34:13.intend to do a review to ensure that best practices are now spread across
:34:14. > :34:17.local authorities across the UK. The social care crisis is affecting
:34:18. > :34:20.people across the country. Including those who sustained an injury or
:34:21. > :34:27.condition while serving our country. Is injured or heard after the 6th of
:34:28. > :34:30.April, received compensation scheme, and have this payment disregarded by
:34:31. > :34:34.local authorities and being assessed for social care. However those
:34:35. > :34:38.injured before that date are receiving war pension and don't.
:34:39. > :34:42.Will the government addresses in equality? This is primarily a letter
:34:43. > :34:46.for the Department of Health and I've been having a series of
:34:47. > :34:49.negotiations with my counterpart in the Ministry of health and I'm sure
:34:50. > :34:55.we will come back to the House in due course. Number nine Sir. With
:34:56. > :34:59.permission Mr Speaker I would like to answer questions nine and 11
:35:00. > :35:02.together. We expect to see small businesses take an increasing share
:35:03. > :35:06.in our defence budget. Since they provide a vital source of innovation
:35:07. > :35:10.and flexibility in meeting defence security requirements. In October,
:35:11. > :35:16.we mentioned a new target to increase the procurement to be spent
:35:17. > :35:20.with small medium enterprises to 25% by the end of this Parliament. This
:35:21. > :35:27.target is 10% higher than in the last Parliament. I thank the end of
:35:28. > :35:35.the mine minister for his answer. Can he outlined what role is in P is
:35:36. > :35:40.playing in the programme? Especially in the supply chain? The success of
:35:41. > :35:45.submarine from them it will be the largest project, where we expect 150
:35:46. > :35:50.suppliers across the UK will be involved. They will employ thousands
:35:51. > :35:53.of people in this very high skilled domain, using cutting-edge
:35:54. > :35:58.technology and they will keep the supply chain for Rose Royce... Where
:35:59. > :36:06.many of them will be as in and many of them will be within my honourable
:36:07. > :36:10.friend's constituency. No can you clarify how any small businesses in
:36:11. > :36:17.the defence supply chain can access the ?70 million investment that was
:36:18. > :36:22.announced last month? I would just pay tribute to the workforce and
:36:23. > :36:28.Lancashire, particular in the work they have an contributing every
:36:29. > :36:33.single one of the F 35, the largest procurement for Graham and the
:36:34. > :36:37.Globe. Mentioned last month by my honourable friend will have its due
:36:38. > :36:44.course, some even possibly in the next hour. What difference with the
:36:45. > :36:51.renewal of Trident make to the defence supply programme? As I just
:36:52. > :36:57.indicated to my right honourable friend, my honourable friend, the
:36:58. > :37:01.successor submarine programme will be the largest UK procurement of
:37:02. > :37:07.military capability for decades to come. That will filter through, I
:37:08. > :37:10.mentioned 150 suppliers, we think will be pertaining, it may be larger
:37:11. > :37:13.than that, it will be an enormous programme that will last for many
:37:14. > :37:19.years and sustained thousands of jobs right across the breadth of
:37:20. > :37:23.this country. With permission Mr Speaker, I should like to answer
:37:24. > :37:29.questions 12 and 18 together. The government came under force -- since
:37:30. > :37:32.then, the government has undertaken a range of actions to build it. Our
:37:33. > :37:35.fourth annual report to Parliament is due to be published next month
:37:36. > :37:38.and that will detail the progress we have made during the year. The
:37:39. > :37:43.government is committed to honour our pledges and encourage the wider
:37:44. > :37:51.society to think about their contributions. How will their
:37:52. > :37:53.commitments be measured so that certain councils and others can
:37:54. > :37:58.learn from the best and most proactive and that we can encourage
:37:59. > :38:03.others to up their game? I 2am grateful for this support, including
:38:04. > :38:10.Sussex, who demonstrate our arms forces communities. Many are
:38:11. > :38:14.extremely proactive. I wish -- to discuss what more we can do to
:38:15. > :38:17.encourage local authorities as they look to support our Armed Forces
:38:18. > :38:21.soup community. I understand the Minister for housing intends to
:38:22. > :38:24.write all local authorities setting out an example the best practice and
:38:25. > :38:31.are mighty that the need to arm them under the covenant. A veteran in my
:38:32. > :38:35.constituency suffers from mental health issues from military service.
:38:36. > :38:40.Is on the local council housing list but is one of two steps away from
:38:41. > :38:44.priority stages. Tonight urge the Minister to beef up the covenant and
:38:45. > :38:48.ensure our veterans are given priority status for housing as a
:38:49. > :38:51.matter of course? The government is determined to honour the commitments
:38:52. > :38:55.made by the Armed Forces covenant to ensure fair treatment of veterans
:38:56. > :38:59.and their families in need of social housing. Is why the government
:39:00. > :39:04.change the laws so that serving personnel and veterans with urgent
:39:05. > :39:07.housing needs must always be a higher priority for housing. It is
:39:08. > :39:14.up to local authorities however to make judgements about rises in their
:39:15. > :39:24.areas, I will of course raise this with my colleagues. -- 10% of our
:39:25. > :39:30.population are veterans, prison populace and. The honourable
:39:31. > :39:33.gentleman will be aware of the ?40 million which will be invested into
:39:34. > :39:38.the veterans accommodation fund, I work with a number of charities to
:39:39. > :39:45.ensure this issue, and he can see it for himself the Beacon home if he
:39:46. > :39:52.wishes to visit, or other places, I would encourage them to do so. Thank
:39:53. > :39:56.you Mr Speaker, in the last five years we have seen entitlements of
:39:57. > :40:07.service personnel cut copy a failure to return the micro group the -- we
:40:08. > :40:09.weight the... Does he accept that trading service personnel so
:40:10. > :40:14.shoddily will affect morale and can be seen as a breach of the military
:40:15. > :40:20.government? I was hoping to avoid these words but the honourable Lady
:40:21. > :40:25.will have to wait until 3:30pm. However, I am confident that the
:40:26. > :40:28.renumeration package will remain an excellent package for our service
:40:29. > :40:32.personnel, but she will have to wait a few more minutes to find out
:40:33. > :40:44.exactly whether or not to believe all of the reports she reads. This
:40:45. > :40:49.government believes we can and indeed will succeed in reforming and
:40:50. > :40:55.renegotiating our relationship with the EU. The cornerstone of our
:40:56. > :41:00.security is Nato, but the EU does play an important role in
:41:01. > :41:03.complementing Nato, for example, imposing sanctions on Russia
:41:04. > :41:11.recently, defence remains a sovereign issue. The UK together
:41:12. > :41:17.with the EU partners has worked hard in areas for example on EU trading
:41:18. > :41:22.missions, which had made a conservation to defence. With the
:41:23. > :41:26.government give close consideration about how these would continue in
:41:27. > :41:34.the future if Britain were to withdraw from the EU? I can only
:41:35. > :41:39.repeat my earlier answer, we are confident that the renegotiation
:41:40. > :41:43.will succeed, yes indeed, the mission he referred to in other
:41:44. > :41:50.missions including the one in Africa have been a success, he is right on
:41:51. > :41:54.that. Can I say to the Minister just in case the country votes to come
:41:55. > :41:59.out of the EU, wouldn't he welcomed a tremendous advantage of the Armed
:42:00. > :42:03.Forces, because the UK sends ?350 million to the EU each week, some of
:42:04. > :42:13.that money could be diverted to the Armed Forces and would not that be a
:42:14. > :42:17.good thing? My honourable friend is not, despite recollecting what might
:42:18. > :42:21.happen after withdrawal, what I will say is that I am delighted to be
:42:22. > :42:27.part of a government that is committed to spending 2% of the GDP
:42:28. > :42:34.on the... I think you will enjoy the announcement at 3:30pm. I should
:42:35. > :42:40.like to answer this question with number 15, we have seen Isil attacks
:42:41. > :42:49.in many places and around the world, including on premise is
:42:50. > :42:54.citizens in Paris. Isil poses a direct threat to the United Kingdom,
:42:55. > :42:58.which is why we need to work with the international Coalition to
:42:59. > :43:04.degrade and destroy Isil in Iraq and consider what more we can do to deal
:43:05. > :43:10.with its headquarters and heartland in Syria from where this threat
:43:11. > :43:14.comes. Given that Isil are using their base in Syria to plan attacks
:43:15. > :43:18.on the UK, does the Secretary of State agree with me that it is
:43:19. > :43:23.absolutely absurd to restrict the British Armed Forces to only act in
:43:24. > :43:30.an Iraq and not in powering them to act to British threats? There is a
:43:31. > :43:38.compelling case for us to do more in Syria, not least because what he
:43:39. > :43:41.says is it is illogical to not only tackle forces in Iraq. As the Prime
:43:42. > :43:47.Minister say, we must tackle the head of the snake and racked up and
:43:48. > :43:51.make our case to the House and country starting with my right
:43:52. > :43:58.honourable friend and his response to the committee report later this
:43:59. > :44:03.week. Mr Speaker, while cities like London are targets for terrorism,
:44:04. > :44:08.with cooperation is the Secretary of State hiding with the home office to
:44:09. > :44:12.do with other areas, shopping areas like my constituency could easily be
:44:13. > :44:16.just as under threat as central London was white we work closely
:44:17. > :44:20.with the home office, particularly on counterterrorism and providing
:44:21. > :44:25.assistance to back-ups of all capacity. We have 5000 troops
:44:26. > :44:30.trained and ready to support armed police forces, 24 hours notice, and
:44:31. > :44:34.we will be increasing the number shortly. We can only in the safety
:44:35. > :44:40.guarantee the safety of the United Kingdom by defeating Isil in both
:44:41. > :44:46.Iraq and Syria, and I hope he shares the new confidence of the chairman
:44:47. > :44:52.of this committee and the -- studies committee, conditions can be met
:44:53. > :45:00.following the attacks in Paris. The sovereign state is unable or
:45:01. > :45:05.unwilling to take action. To what extent does he think that applies to
:45:06. > :45:12.Daesh and the Taliban in Afghanistan when it was supporting IK,
:45:13. > :45:16.Al-Qaeda? There is already a clear legal basis for military action
:45:17. > :45:21.against Isil in Syria, which does not require a United Nations
:45:22. > :45:27.resolution, but I hope nonetheless that he will welcome Security
:45:28. > :45:31.Council resolution, which provides clear and unanimous political
:45:32. > :45:34.endorsement by the entire international community for the
:45:35. > :45:45.military action already being taken by the counter Isil organisation?
:45:46. > :45:49.Why is the government turning a blind eye to Isil selling oil to
:45:50. > :45:54.these Nato powers? The government is not turning a blind eye, on the
:45:55. > :46:00.contrary we are doing our best to interject the supplies of oil and
:46:01. > :46:05.stop Isil being able to supply it on the international market, something
:46:06. > :46:11.I discussed with Syria up's neighbours, and we also need to stop
:46:12. > :46:21.them from selling to the Syria and regime itself. My immediate
:46:22. > :46:25.priorities are operations against Isil and the strategic defence
:46:26. > :46:29.security review. July's announcement of the defence budget will increase
:46:30. > :46:33.every year of this Parliament and that we'll continue to meet the Nato
:46:34. > :46:39.2% target means that we are able to decide very shortly what further
:46:40. > :46:45.capabilities and equipment we need to keep this country safe. I'm
:46:46. > :46:51.delighted to host the Secretary of State on a visit to my constituency.
:46:52. > :46:56.Is it a sign of the national security and economic security that
:46:57. > :47:03.they signed a 300 million pounds contract for the latest missiles
:47:04. > :47:09.manufactured out of news sites safeguarding 400 high-tech jobs?
:47:10. > :47:17.Yes, I do recall my visit and this is part of our now plan, to provide
:47:18. > :47:22.the very best capabilities for our armed forces. These advanced
:47:23. > :47:28.short-range air to air missiles will equip our jets with battle winning
:47:29. > :47:33.technologies. Helping to protect airspace and defend our Nato allies
:47:34. > :47:48.and sustained highly skilled jobs in the new 30 million pounds plan and
:47:49. > :47:56.also. Mr Speaker, one of the many things in the telegraph this morning
:47:57. > :48:00.was at the MOD will purchase five or forgets them planned. Does the
:48:01. > :48:07.Minister share with me a concern that we need enough forgets to
:48:08. > :48:14.protect our carriers in operations. Any reduction to the sleep will
:48:15. > :48:19.impair the carriers? I can't ensure the honourable member and I'm
:48:20. > :48:23.delighted to see display. I can ensure the honourable member that we
:48:24. > :48:26.will have enough forgets to protect the carrier and my right honourable
:48:27. > :48:31.friend the Prime Minister will be making very clear the forget
:48:32. > :48:39.replacement programmes in just a few minutes time. For the Minister
:48:40. > :48:42.advise the House on innovations to working with the MOD. Will he take
:48:43. > :48:51.the opportunity to spell out the role that he sees for things in
:48:52. > :48:54.strategic defence in the UK? We recognise the importance of
:48:55. > :48:58.innovation and the STL does do vital work within this department. In
:48:59. > :49:02.leading science and technology initiatives to provide capability
:49:03. > :49:08.advances for our Armed Forces and we expected to sell, through the
:49:09. > :49:16.support he gives to universal technical college and places Indians
:49:17. > :49:22.constituency? Mr Speaker, medicine sent frontier -- Doctors Without
:49:23. > :49:28.Borders reports that Damascus was hit on Thursday. Increasing the
:49:29. > :49:36.numbers of civilian casualties in Syria. In light of Friday's
:49:37. > :49:40.resolution in Syria, could the Secretary of State detailed the
:49:41. > :49:44.additional measures that will be taken to provide safe passage and
:49:45. > :49:53.resettlement for civilian refugees, should the UK vote to participate in
:49:54. > :50:00.air strikes? Prior to that taking place, I have met with a number of
:50:01. > :50:03.NGOs about a range of issues that the honourable Lady touches on and I
:50:04. > :50:06.can ensure that this is at the forefront of our minds. Part of the
:50:07. > :50:10.reason for wanting to do more in this place is to prevent innocent
:50:11. > :50:18.civilians from being brutally slaughtered. Given recent media
:50:19. > :50:22.coverage about the different views across this house on Trident
:50:23. > :50:27.renewal, could my right honourable friend tell me who is responsible
:50:28. > :50:31.for deciding government policy, specifically on the issue of
:50:32. > :50:35.Trident? Flemmi reassure my friend that policy on this side of the
:50:36. > :50:42.House is decided by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and indeed
:50:43. > :50:46.the whole government and the whole parliamentary parties are united on
:50:47. > :50:53.the commitment that we made to renew the deterrent and I would urge
:50:54. > :50:57.moderate MPs offices to turn out tomorrow and vote to support the
:50:58. > :51:03.deterrent that every previous Labour government has supported since it
:51:04. > :51:09.was introduced. What assessment is the government making of the high
:51:10. > :51:15.military capability that Assad has right now? Missile systems and where
:51:16. > :51:21.they located and what other high-tech equipment falling into the
:51:22. > :51:28.hands of Isis? We make very clear, we make sure that our own aircraft
:51:29. > :51:33.are equipped with the defensive AIDS that are necessary in each
:51:34. > :51:39.particular setting, but what we need to do is bring both of these, the
:51:40. > :51:54.Civil War in Syria to an end and then focus on the task at hand which
:51:55. > :52:00.is destroying Isil in its heartland? With the Minister assure me with the
:52:01. > :52:07.evaluation of the defence of state being undertaken, the social
:52:08. > :52:13.economic policy, importance is taken into consideration? Bawled the
:52:14. > :52:20.defensive state is primarily given to sick to the MOD does support
:52:21. > :52:25.authorities and any impact on changes particularly when it comes
:52:26. > :52:33.to the opportunity for the local resources as part of future campaign
:52:34. > :52:43.banning. Lockheed Martin submitted maritime patrol aircraft contract,
:52:44. > :52:49.this aircraft costs around 40% of Boeing's which is 80%... Can the
:52:50. > :52:56.Minister please anoint the House as to the process undertaken to win
:52:57. > :53:00.this contract ultimately, for the costly alternative which is not
:53:01. > :53:04.supported by British programmes? This is another one of those
:53:05. > :53:08.occasions where the honourable Lady will have to wait for a few moments
:53:09. > :53:14.for the Prime Minister. What I can say to her is that in the event that
:53:15. > :53:18.an MPA would be to -- would be procured as part of the programme,
:53:19. > :53:25.some billion dollars worth of the programme is supplied by British
:53:26. > :53:31.companies. Thank you Mr Speaker, I personally agree with the government
:53:32. > :53:35.that Isil Daesh must be Christian Democrats in Syria as well as in
:53:36. > :53:41.Iraq. But, the Secretary of State has made it clear that he wants to
:53:42. > :53:47.cede the Syria and army forces defeated as well. We are being told
:53:48. > :53:53.to be more like church old Dan Chamberlain. Does the state
:53:54. > :53:56.government minister recognise that Churchill's great strength was that
:53:57. > :54:03.he knew when to recognise which is the greater and lesser of two evils
:54:04. > :54:06.and that is why he was willing sometimes to fight alongside
:54:07. > :54:14.unsavoury allies against a common deadly enemy? Let me just say that
:54:15. > :54:19.my honourable friend that I always thought that Churchill's greatest
:54:20. > :54:22.strength was confronted -- when confronted by a direct threat to
:54:23. > :54:30.this country to be determined to do something about it. Thank you Mr
:54:31. > :54:34.Speaker, Armed Forces being the smallest they have been since the
:54:35. > :54:39.middle of the 19th century, with the Minister said that if the UK was to
:54:40. > :54:42.exit the European Union, this would significantly undermine our
:54:43. > :54:49.intelligence and security Russian ships at a time when we need these
:54:50. > :54:53.relationships the most? I do not accept that. Of course the
:54:54. > :55:00.membership of the union has allowed us to be imposing sanctions on
:55:01. > :55:09.Russia for the action it took an crime area stopping -- Crimea. The
:55:10. > :55:17.bulk of our defence rests on our membership of the Nato alliance. Mr
:55:18. > :55:21.Speaker, at a time when it is clear that our nuclear capabilities is
:55:22. > :55:28.cute, can the Minister perhaps provide some update on the progress
:55:29. > :55:35.in delivering our nuclear things to the submarines? I was delighted last
:55:36. > :55:42.Thursday to announce the ?1.3 billion contract. We will save money
:55:43. > :55:45.from the text layer, we would deliver this summer in ahead of
:55:46. > :55:51.schedule of the previous one, and we are on track. I agree with the
:55:52. > :55:55.defence secretary that Isil poses a very direct threat to the UK, but I
:55:56. > :55:59.wonder if he agrees with me that if the government has to take military
:56:00. > :56:04.action against Syria, it needs to be framed within a writer strategy to
:56:05. > :56:10.be military action can only service one strand of that wider campaign,
:56:11. > :56:14.the government also needs to lead political and diplomatic tools that
:56:15. > :56:17.they have at their disposal. I completely agree with that. Any
:56:18. > :56:24.military strategy to deal with Isil in Syria as well as in Iraq has to
:56:25. > :56:30.be be a part of a wider campaign to win this struggle against Isil,
:56:31. > :56:34.politically and diplomatically to construct a moderate government in
:56:35. > :56:40.Syria that has the support of all sections of Syrian society and to
:56:41. > :56:43.show how that will lead to greater security in the Sunni areas in
:56:44. > :56:51.particular in northern Syria, once Isil is defeated in its heartland.
:56:52. > :56:55.What is our noninvolvement in air strikes have in terms of
:56:56. > :57:06.international partners? A decision to do nothing has
:57:07. > :57:09.consequences. As my honourable friend has alluded to it has had
:57:10. > :57:14.severe consequences not simply in the reputation of this country with
:57:15. > :57:19.its allies, but in the consequences in Syria itself or he has seen a
:57:20. > :57:23.vicious silver war. Hundreds of thousands killed. And millions
:57:24. > :57:30.displaced as a result of a decision by the West not to get involved and
:57:31. > :57:37.to put a stop to it two years ago. It does seem strange that that we
:57:38. > :57:41.give high-level British forces training to those fighting Isil, but
:57:42. > :57:44.we do not give them any of our equipment. So they end up fighting
:57:45. > :57:48.with Russian or other weapons. Are we going to look at changing that so
:57:49. > :57:55.they get all of the armour, medical supplies and hardware. I'm happy to
:57:56. > :57:58.reassure the honourable gentleman that as well as providing excellent
:57:59. > :58:04.training we are also gifting non-lethal equipment. What my right
:58:05. > :58:15.honourable friend agree with me that to say we can eradicate Daesh
:58:16. > :58:19.through negotiation of -- alone is not enough. If we want to tackle
:58:20. > :58:25.this issue we need to use all of the force at our ability? I agree with
:58:26. > :58:31.that. That is reflected in the United Nations resolution. Isil is
:58:32. > :58:38.making -- has made no demands of those that it wants to slaughter in
:58:39. > :58:42.Paris the week before last. This is not an organisation that we can
:58:43. > :58:47.possibly negotiate with or employee diplomacy. It has to be defeated
:58:48. > :58:54.using all means at our disposal, including military means. Having
:58:55. > :59:02.seen first-hand the best clubs that were first -- were first established
:59:03. > :59:04.Upon Hall, what more can the government do to support these
:59:05. > :59:14.initiatives started by veterans themselves? I have to agree with the
:59:15. > :59:15.honourable Lady. It is an