:00:07. > :00:12.Secretary and his team of ministers. Order, order. Questions to the
:00:13. > :00:32.Secretary of State for Defence. I hope you will allow me to add my
:00:33. > :00:38.tributes to Jo Cox and her work. She pressed very hard consumers never be
:00:39. > :00:42.forgotten. I will answer this question together with question 11.
:00:43. > :00:47.Our Strategic Defence Review set ambitious plans to strengthen our
:00:48. > :00:52.work with allies and partners to promote our security and
:00:53. > :00:58.perspective. We will continue to lead in Nato, G-7, the United
:00:59. > :01:02.Nations, and to maintain good relationships with the United States
:01:03. > :01:11.and our other friends and allies around the world. My constituency,
:01:12. > :01:15.my country, and people of my generation voted against Brexit, but
:01:16. > :01:21.we are going to be dragged out of the European Union against our well.
:01:22. > :01:26.in Afghanistan, Ukraine, across in Afghanistan, Ukraine, across
:01:27. > :01:30.Africa and the vital role in the Mediterranean. What reassurance does
:01:31. > :01:34.the Secretary of State have for Scotland and for young people that
:01:35. > :01:42.this vital work will not be undermined by Google last Thursday?
:01:43. > :01:53.-- by the vote last Thursday. The bedrock of defence rests on Nato and
:01:54. > :01:58.the United Kingdom is committed to strengthening cooperation within
:01:59. > :02:04.Nato and collective defence across the alliance. We will be adding
:02:05. > :02:16.further reassurance to that at the Nato summit in Warsaw the week after
:02:17. > :02:22.next. What a shambles. The Defence Secretary, that is not good enough.
:02:23. > :02:28.You do not have a plan for Brexit. He confused position of his
:02:29. > :02:33.Government, there is no plan on the table. Will we be like Norway? Can I
:02:34. > :02:44.suggest that we look it that when it comes to defence and we opt in to EU
:02:45. > :02:51.defence schemes. Norway remains a very valued member of the Nato
:02:52. > :02:56.alliance and we will be intensifying our cooperation with countries like
:02:57. > :03:06.that. It is true that membership of the European Union complemented our
:03:07. > :03:09.membership of Nato and we are engaged in an operation in the
:03:10. > :03:16.central Mediterranean, continuing to save lives there and to disrupt the
:03:17. > :03:20.business model of the migrant smugglers from Libya to Africa. The
:03:21. > :03:29.Royal Navy will continue that Haskell. -- continued that asked.
:03:30. > :03:35.Our relationship with members of the EU will remain as strong as
:03:36. > :03:40.yesterday even when we are not members. Is not all members of the
:03:41. > :03:42.European Union are not members of Nato, the fact that we are back
:03:43. > :03:49.corner stone of Nato stands for a corner stone of Nato stands for a
:03:50. > :03:55.strong defence. To be a member of both is some duplication. We
:03:56. > :04:01.continue to argue against duplication between the European
:04:02. > :04:07.Union and Nato. My friend is right, we have important relationships with
:04:08. > :04:13.other European countries. We have a treaty with France and growing
:04:14. > :04:17.cooperation with Germany. I reassure the French and the German defence
:04:18. > :04:25.work at those relationships and to work at those relationships and to
:04:26. > :04:29.strengthen them. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In light of the result last
:04:30. > :04:34.week, will the Secretary of State reassure me that the United Kingdom
:04:35. > :04:39.remains is committed to article five of the north Atlantic to the in both
:04:40. > :04:44.the conventional and nuclear sense for allies in the eastern part of
:04:45. > :04:52.Europe? Absolutely. That is a central commitment of Nato. We have
:04:53. > :05:00.committed to the 2% Nato defence spending targets and we will be
:05:01. > :05:05.offering further reassurance, particularly to members of the
:05:06. > :05:13.eastern flank of Nato, when it comes to the Walsall Summit on Friday.
:05:14. > :05:19.Given the bombing by President Bhutto over the weekends and the
:05:20. > :05:25.role that written plagues in sanctions against him, how concerned
:05:26. > :05:27.is he about the impact on the referendum result on European
:05:28. > :05:36.solidarity standing up to Putin. solidarity standing up to Putin.
:05:37. > :05:40.President Putin. Russia has intervened in the Syrian Civil War
:05:41. > :05:46.and it is important it is held to account. We took the lead in not
:05:47. > :05:53.only proposing but insuring that the sanctions imposed on Russia for
:05:54. > :05:57.their actions are continued. They are continued for the moment but
:05:58. > :06:03.once we are outside the European Union are in over that will be
:06:04. > :06:07.diminished. Does my right honourable friend agree that the upcoming
:06:08. > :06:13.negotiation on leaving the EU presents a huge opportunity to
:06:14. > :06:21.redouble our efforts at cooperation with our EU friends and allies?
:06:22. > :06:36.What plans does my right honourable friend have to protect cross-border
:06:37. > :06:43.investments? We will continue the cooperation and I have already set
:06:44. > :06:46.the growing cooperation that we had the growing cooperation that we had
:06:47. > :06:50.with Germany and indeed with other European countries. Our recent
:06:51. > :06:57.Strategic Defence Review is international by design and
:06:58. > :07:03.prioritises working more closely with allies. As far as European
:07:04. > :07:08.companies that are invested here, they see a rise in defence budget
:07:09. > :07:12.here and we hope they will continue to invest here is to compete for the
:07:13. > :07:19.various tenders we are making available. Our military alliances
:07:20. > :07:23.lie on diplomatic ties with our European neighbours. What steps is
:07:24. > :07:27.the Secretary of State taking to ensure our Brexit negotiations do
:07:28. > :07:36.not sour these relationships and weekend are alliances? I have spoken
:07:37. > :07:41.to all my fellow defence ministers in these key relationships and we
:07:42. > :07:47.will have to work hard to ensure that those bilateral relationships
:07:48. > :07:50.are kept in good repair. We have strong defence relationships and
:07:51. > :07:56.defence sections in embassies across Europe and we will have to look it
:07:57. > :08:01.these individually to make sure that in the Brexit negotiations that that
:08:02. > :08:04.kind of operation, the joint training and exercises and
:08:05. > :08:13.cooperation on capabilities, that none of that is put at risk. What
:08:14. > :08:18.representations has my right honourable friend received from our
:08:19. > :08:21.allies and defence partners about meaning Trident, which the new
:08:22. > :08:26.Shadow Defence Secretary described as being a monumental mistake that
:08:27. > :08:33.our country and planet cannot afford? Is my honourable friend
:08:34. > :08:40.knows, we are committed in our manifesto to replacing the four
:08:41. > :08:42.Trident submarines and I hope that Parliament will be able to endorse
:08:43. > :08:50.the principle of that replacement shortly. Our allies can rest assured
:08:51. > :08:56.that our commitment to Nato and our commitment as he nuclear power to
:08:57. > :09:03.Nato is not altered by the result of the referendum. The Secretary of
:09:04. > :09:11.State will be a way that is the pound plummets against the dollar,
:09:12. > :09:17.the cost of procuring items will soar. There will be consequences for
:09:18. > :09:24.the procurement, including the already delayed type 26 programme.
:09:25. > :09:28.The Government said there would be a cut to the defence budget in terms
:09:29. > :09:34.of Brexit. When and where will that axe fall and what will be tell our
:09:35. > :09:38.allies that the worst of summit, every one of whom was convinced we
:09:39. > :09:45.should remain within the European Union. -- Warsaw Summit. All the
:09:46. > :09:49.defence ministers around the world wanted us to stay within the
:09:50. > :09:53.European Union, but the British people made their decision. As far
:09:54. > :09:58.as the equipment programme is concerned, we're negotiating for
:09:59. > :10:05.maritime patrol aircraft and for the first leg 35s to fly of the
:10:06. > :10:11.carriers. I hope that that will be concluded soon. Scotland faces the
:10:12. > :10:16.prospect of being taken out of the European Union against its will. Can
:10:17. > :10:25.I remind the Secretary of State of the first page of the 2015 document
:10:26. > :10:29.where it said economic security goes hand-in-hand with economic security.
:10:30. > :10:34.The European Union was an integral part and it is strategically
:10:35. > :10:40.valuable for implementing our defences security obligations. Given
:10:41. > :10:45.that Brexit won the referendum and the economy is in freefall, what
:10:46. > :10:51.plans does he have to review that 2015 plan? I am disappointed he
:10:52. > :11:01.should be talking down the British economy. So many jobs in Scotland
:11:02. > :11:05.depend on it. I would caution his depend on it. I would caution
:11:06. > :11:09.party against talking down an party against talking down an
:11:10. > :11:18.economy that all our constituents depend. Our national security is, of
:11:19. > :11:26.course, the security of the United Kingdom, including that of Scotland.
:11:27. > :11:38.In defence questions before I take my new post, can I start... At what
:11:39. > :11:43.will be my last defence questions before I take up minute post, can I
:11:44. > :11:46.start by thanking the Secretary of State and his office for all the
:11:47. > :11:50.cooperation he has given in the six months I have been in this role?
:11:51. > :11:56.Whether it has been in arranging trips to Army bases are providing
:11:57. > :12:02.briefings in the fight against serve-mac two, he has been a
:12:03. > :12:05.generous opponent to stop -- Two. The thought of anyone in this house
:12:06. > :12:09.should be on how we can reassure the British people that we can keep the
:12:10. > :12:12.country safe and secure in the wake of Brexit. It is something we need
:12:13. > :12:16.to put together on and work together on. Not just within our own parties,
:12:17. > :12:20.but across the house as a whole. Can the Secretary of State please
:12:21. > :12:25.reassure us that leaving the EU will not put an end to participation in
:12:26. > :12:29.joint security missions with our European partners? He has mentioned
:12:30. > :12:33.the mission in the Mediterranean, but can I also ask him particularly
:12:34. > :12:39.about the highly successful counter piracy mission in the Horn of
:12:40. > :12:42.Africa? I'm grateful to the Honourable Lady for her generous
:12:43. > :12:52.remarks and congratulate her on her move. And we will welcome the new
:12:53. > :13:00.Shadow Defence Secretary. I think he is a wall on his first parade, but
:13:01. > :13:06.we will welcome him and paid tribute to his service in uniform. He will
:13:07. > :13:13.be the fourth Shadow Defence Secretary I have seen in under two
:13:14. > :13:17.years, but I hope he lasts. Let me say to the Honourable Lady, yes, it
:13:18. > :13:21.is very important that we reassure our allies in Europe and around the
:13:22. > :13:27.world that Britain is not turning its back on them, on the contrary,
:13:28. > :13:31.we are still playing a leading role in the world, and that includes work
:13:32. > :13:37.in some of the vital operations in the Mediterranean and the Horn of
:13:38. > :13:41.Africa, some of which are led by Nato, others of which are led by the
:13:42. > :13:44.European Union. I thank the Secretary of State for his answer
:13:45. > :13:47.and is generous words, and I shall pass on his comments to the new
:13:48. > :13:50.Shadow Secretary of State for defence when he takes up his post
:13:51. > :13:53.this afternoon. They are typical of the way he and his office have
:13:54. > :13:58.worked. One particular concern that many people have is around the
:13:59. > :14:02.implications of Brexit for our border controls. What will happen to
:14:03. > :14:07.our border control of Calais? What will happen to the Common travel
:14:08. > :14:09.area with Ireland? And will be cooperation we currently receive
:14:10. > :14:14.from our European counterparts in respect to tackling illegal
:14:15. > :14:17.immigration be maintained? Can the Secretary of State tell us how we
:14:18. > :14:21.will go but resolving these issues? Will be Armed Forces play a role in
:14:22. > :14:28.that, and in what way can we keep our borders safe and secure? I
:14:29. > :14:30.counted six questions to which I know the honourable gentleman will
:14:31. > :14:33.make a pithy response because we must make progress to other
:14:34. > :14:35.Honorourable Members who also have questions on the order paper,
:14:36. > :14:43.something it would have been good to remember earlier. Noting that the
:14:44. > :14:47.honourable lady has spawned her defence review because - it is
:14:48. > :14:54.important to live party sticks together and as United". -- it is
:14:55. > :15:04.important the Labour Party sticks together. Britain will play its part
:15:05. > :15:06.in assisting the border force and other organisations like Nato in
:15:07. > :15:16.dealing with people smuggling and illegal migration, which she asks.
:15:17. > :15:19.Mr Speaker, this Government is committed to sustaining ship
:15:20. > :15:23.building skills on the Clyde. As we confirmed in the strategic defence
:15:24. > :15:25.and security review last September, we will build two additional
:15:26. > :15:31.offshore patrol vessels before build work starts on the Type 26. This
:15:32. > :15:36.will help sustain shipbuilding skills between completion of major
:15:37. > :15:40.blocks of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers, and commencement of Type
:15:41. > :15:44.26 build. That remains the case, this plan has not changed, and over
:15:45. > :15:54.the next decade we will spend around ?1 billion on Royal Navy warships.
:15:55. > :15:56.-- ?8 billion. As my honourable colleague pointed out, the pound is
:15:57. > :16:04.in freefall, and every fall against the dollar makes purchasing either
:16:05. > :16:08.aircraft or the F-35 more expensive. Workers in the Clyde shipyards had
:16:09. > :16:13.seen orders cut by 80 present already, and the current crisis
:16:14. > :16:17.makes their situation worse. Can the Minister reassure me and those on
:16:18. > :16:22.the shop floor in Govan that the Type 26 programme will begin as soon
:16:23. > :16:29.as possible and not in 2019 as some have suggested? We have already
:16:30. > :16:34.invested 1.6 billion in Type 26, including ?427 million this March. I
:16:35. > :16:37.have to say to the Honourable Lady as gently as I can that this
:16:38. > :16:41.commitment could not have been made of her friends had had their way and
:16:42. > :16:46.had become independent when shipbuilding would have ceased to
:16:47. > :16:52.months ago. The Minister will remember that radius shipbuilding
:16:53. > :16:55.projects, in particular the carriers and the type 45 destroyers, ended up
:16:56. > :17:01.being much more expensive because of delays. Does he accept that BAE
:17:02. > :17:07.Systems is ready to start cutting steel on the Type 26 programme
:17:08. > :17:11.relatively soon, and that delays will cause our total number of
:17:12. > :17:17.warships to dip, and the ones we eventually get will be more
:17:18. > :17:19.expensive? I would say to my honourable friend, who is
:17:20. > :17:24.knowledgeable about these matters, this will be one of the largest
:17:25. > :17:29.defence programmes that this Government will enter, and he will
:17:30. > :17:33.agree with me that it is absolutely right to enter into a contract once
:17:34. > :17:38.we are confident of the delivery schedule and the ability of the
:17:39. > :17:41.contractors meet that schedule on a cost-effective basis. Once we're in
:17:42. > :17:48.that position will be ready to contract. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The
:17:49. > :17:57.Clyde was promised a world-class frigate factory, one to build 30 new
:17:58. > :18:00.frigates for the UK. However, today, Mr Speaker, we hear what has been
:18:01. > :18:04.delayed by a year. There are thousands of members of staff on
:18:05. > :18:09.secondment around the country because there isn't enough work in
:18:10. > :18:13.the shipyards, and the word betrayal rings around those shipyards and is
:18:14. > :18:18.now factory has appeared, no work has started. We have asked in the
:18:19. > :18:22.past four plans for the frigate building programme and for promises
:18:23. > :18:30.that all work will be carried out on the Clyde. Questions have gone
:18:31. > :18:35.unanswered. I ask... So I asked the Secretary of State when precisely he
:18:36. > :18:41.will present a committed plan to build the new frigates we need, with
:18:42. > :18:48.cast-iron timescales to bring some security to the workforce in Glasgow
:18:49. > :18:53.and around the country. Brief response from the Minister, and we
:18:54. > :18:57.will move on. As I have already indicated today, this Government has
:18:58. > :19:01.already contracted significant sums into this programme. Once we're in a
:19:02. > :19:04.position to sign a contract, that is when we say what the duration of the
:19:05. > :19:13.build programme will be, and we are not there yet. Question number
:19:14. > :19:19.three, Mr Speaker. With permission, I will answer this question with
:19:20. > :19:24.another. Meeting takes place on the 20th of July, the campaign against
:19:25. > :19:30.Daesh is making progress, with Coalition support and Iraqi forces
:19:31. > :19:34.now hold Ramadi, the engaged in clearing Daesh from Falluja, and
:19:35. > :19:39.undertaking preparations for retaking muzzle. The Syrian
:19:40. > :19:43.Democratic forces are currently undertaking... Can my honourable
:19:44. > :19:47.friend and from that Britain is playing the second biggest part in
:19:48. > :19:50.the Coalition after the United States of America, and that our
:19:51. > :19:55.involvement is making a real difference to the fight against
:19:56. > :19:58.Daesh? Yes, the United Kingdom is playing a significant role in the
:19:59. > :20:03.Coalition, I am pleased to confirm that. The RAF has undertaken more
:20:04. > :20:09.strikes in Iraq and since December in Syria than any other Coalition
:20:10. > :20:13.nation apart from the United States. We now have over 1100 service
:20:14. > :20:16.personnel supporting operations in the region, and that is making a
:20:17. > :20:22.real difference to the amount of the campaign. What assistance is the
:20:23. > :20:26.Government providing to Jordanian authorities in light of the recent
:20:27. > :20:30.deterioration in security there, and especially in light of the recent
:20:31. > :20:35.suicide attack killing six soldiers outside the refugee camp? We have a
:20:36. > :20:42.very strong defence relationship with Jordan that includes work on
:20:43. > :20:46.training forces together, and we will obviously continue to keep that
:20:47. > :20:53.under review, not least because of the pressure on the Jordanian and
:20:54. > :20:55.Syrian border. Last week it was reported that US fighter jets were
:20:56. > :21:02.scrambled to intercept Russian bombers attacking American backed
:21:03. > :21:07.rebels in Syria. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to the
:21:08. > :21:13.conflict competing Allied air forces in the campaign against Daesh? There
:21:14. > :21:19.is a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Russia
:21:20. > :21:22.about the conduct of their operations. We do not cooperate with
:21:23. > :21:26.Russia, but there is a mechanism which we can avoid this kind of
:21:27. > :21:31.conflict. But these is the way to avoid it would be for Russia to stop
:21:32. > :21:38.assisting the regime and to stop bombing innocent civilians.
:21:39. > :21:45.Opposition activists and Kurdish officials have said that hundreds of
:21:46. > :21:51.cards half leading -- hundreds of Kurds are fleeing their homes. If
:21:52. > :21:57.This Place is captured Adobe the biggest strategic defeat for Daesh
:21:58. > :22:02.in Syria. Can the Secretary of State comment on this situation,
:22:03. > :22:06.particularly that that I have described for Kurdish civilians who
:22:07. > :22:09.are being abducted in the hundreds? They are, that is why we need to
:22:10. > :22:14.bring this terrible conflict in Syria to an end. Progress is being
:22:15. > :22:20.made by the Syrian Democratic forces in closing of what is called the
:22:21. > :22:27.pocket, and breaking the supply line up to the Turkish border, which
:22:28. > :22:30.restricts the ability of Daesh to trade oil illegally across the
:22:31. > :22:37.border or to recruit foreign fighters the other way. Progress is
:22:38. > :22:41.being made there, and I hope that one day when it is recaptured, those
:22:42. > :22:53.same forces can then move on to other areas. What discussion is
:22:54. > :22:59.having with our allies to cut off funding to Daesh? International
:23:00. > :23:04.efforts are underway to restrict the ability of Daesh to raise money from
:23:05. > :23:10.selling oil or artefacts or anything else on the... Or to access other
:23:11. > :23:15.funding on international markets. That is work that requires
:23:16. > :23:18.cooperation right across the Coalition, and it is working which
:23:19. > :23:28.the native kingdom is playing a leading part. While we have been
:23:29. > :23:33.otherwise preoccupied, the atrocities that have been carried
:23:34. > :23:39.out by Daesh over the last few weeks remain deeply worrying. Will the
:23:40. > :23:43.Secretary of State of an undertaking that he will cooperate through Nato,
:23:44. > :23:50.bilaterally with other European allies, and take such strategic
:23:51. > :23:54.action unilaterally to make sure that everything is done to try to
:23:55. > :23:59.stop this up falling, these appalling atrocities? Yes, we are
:24:00. > :24:04.facing a most barbarous enemy that is not simply torturing and killing
:24:05. > :24:10.innocent civilians in Syria and Iraq but still poses a very direct threat
:24:11. > :24:18.to us here in Western Europe on the first anniversary, Mr Speaker, of
:24:19. > :24:23.the slaughter of 30 other subjects in Sousse a year ago. Whether it is
:24:24. > :24:27.through the international Coalition, through the use of Nato assets,
:24:28. > :24:34.through other bilateral frameworks, let me reassure the gentleman mac
:24:35. > :24:45.that we are absolutely committed to the fight and eventual defeat and
:24:46. > :24:47.degradation of Daesh. The 20 13th Trident alternatives review
:24:48. > :24:51.considered alternative systems and postures for the United Kingdom's
:24:52. > :24:58.nuclear deterrent. And it concluded that no alternative is as capable or
:24:59. > :25:04.offers the same degree of resilience as continuous at sea deterrence. I
:25:05. > :25:09.thank my honourable friend for that answer. Some have expressed concern
:25:10. > :25:13.that with advancing technology are submarines can now be detected and
:25:14. > :25:19.discovered by underwater drones. Can my honourable friend assure me that
:25:20. > :25:23.this is not in fact the case? Yes. We are confident that our submarine
:25:24. > :25:27.fleet is remains safe and secure. We devote considerable resources to
:25:28. > :25:30.assessing capabilities and new technologies that could threaten the
:25:31. > :25:36.operation of a deterrent, including intentional threats, development of
:25:37. > :25:40.cyber and unmanned underwater vehicles. I'm happy to reassure my
:25:41. > :25:47.Honourable Friend on precisely that point. Whoever standard our dispatch
:25:48. > :25:54.box or his, there is a cast-iron majority to do the right thing by
:25:55. > :25:58.trident's successor, and to reach out roads to defend our nation
:25:59. > :26:00.rather than turn inwards. Will devote still happen before summer
:26:01. > :26:10.recess? I am grateful to the Honourable
:26:11. > :26:16.Gentleman. There is clearly a majority. There is a majority in
:26:17. > :26:21.this House and I believe it is right that this House should vote on the
:26:22. > :26:32.principle of the renewal of the deterrent and I hope he will not
:26:33. > :26:38.26 frigates are behind schedule. The 26 frigates are behind schedule. The
:26:39. > :26:43.Navy is said to have ran out of money. Given the state of the
:26:44. > :26:53.economy as of last Friday, can he give us assurance that they can run
:26:54. > :26:58.out of money for Trident as well? These get drilled for the type 26
:26:59. > :27:04.has not been set. The ships will cost between half a billion and ?1
:27:05. > :27:10.billion each. I am not going to sign a contract for the ships until I'm
:27:11. > :27:25.satisfied that they represent good value for the Royal Navy and for the
:27:26. > :27:29.taxpayer. In January the department published an Armed Forces families
:27:30. > :27:38.strategy, embracing seven key themes. Employment, accommodation,
:27:39. > :27:45.children, Trinity support, specialist support, health and
:27:46. > :27:46.well-being, and transition. We have reviewed our casualty and
:27:47. > :27:51.compassionate processes and we are compassionate processes and we are
:27:52. > :27:55.introducing a pilot of a new welfare scheme for reservists. We continue
:27:56. > :28:00.to work to ensure that our Armed Forces and their families are
:28:01. > :28:08.treated fairly. Economic and military security is laid out and
:28:09. > :28:10.have been weakened by the recent events and this could not have
:28:11. > :28:20.happened at a worse time for the Armed Forces. I am sorry, we do not
:28:21. > :28:27.have time for two examples. I need a simple question with it? At the end.
:28:28. > :28:31.It causes considerable concern. Does he agree that the continuing welfare
:28:32. > :28:44.of our personnel should be a priority? The ants is yes. -- the
:28:45. > :28:47.answer is yes. The majority of companies and those who have signed
:28:48. > :28:53.up to the Armed Forces covenant kills that the country as a whole
:28:54. > :28:57.feels that should be a yes. I have been working with the veteran
:28:58. > :29:00.support group to assure that those leaving the Armed Forces received
:29:01. > :29:06.the support that they need. Will the Minister explain what his Government
:29:07. > :29:12.is doing to extend support offered through projects that the of serving
:29:13. > :29:17.of prevention rather than cure? I am of prevention rather than cure? I am
:29:18. > :29:25.grateful for the work that the honourable lady mentions where a
:29:26. > :29:28.range of charities are working with the Armed Forces. We give
:29:29. > :29:33.considerable priority to this and to ensuring that people's transition,
:29:34. > :29:37.which is one of the seven aspects of the strategy I mentioned, is
:29:38. > :29:41.successful and the stories that one hears from companies that sign of
:29:42. > :29:45.covenant successfully taking on-board people for new careers
:29:46. > :29:54.are doing the local authorities and are doing the local authorities and
:29:55. > :29:58.housing are bearing fruit. With promotion I would like to add some
:29:59. > :30:03.questions six and seven to gather. The Government is blubbering
:30:04. > :30:11.stronger defence. The defence budget will rise by 0.5% every year and
:30:12. > :30:15.they will access money from the joint security fund. This is the
:30:16. > :30:20.first time in six years that the defence budget will increase in real
:30:21. > :30:26.times. Given the vote last week, does the Minister agree that Britain
:30:27. > :30:29.should continue to remain a key player on the international stage
:30:30. > :30:38.and will Britain continue to use its influence to encourage Nato to have
:30:39. > :30:42.2% spending of their GDP? Nato is the cornerstone of our defence and
:30:43. > :30:47.we are leading players in full and six fellow members in beating the
:30:48. > :30:56.spending commitments. Since 2014, allies have made progress. Five of
:30:57. > :31:04.them now spent 2% and it spent 20% of their defence budgets on
:31:05. > :31:11.equipment. 16 have increased their spending. Obviously with the
:31:12. > :31:19.increasing budget comes increasing responsibility for ensuring value of
:31:20. > :31:29.money for tax hears. Has my honourable friend learn the lessons
:31:30. > :31:36.of failed procurement under Labour. One of the programmes that
:31:37. > :31:43.experience delays and cost overruns. The decision 2010 to cancel it was
:31:44. > :31:48.difficult, but the purchase of nine aircraft will give us the capability
:31:49. > :31:53.that we need in the time frame that we want and I best value for the
:31:54. > :31:57.taxpayer. Are you making sure we have adequate defence and that we
:31:58. > :31:59.get value for money? The Public Accounts Committee were very
:32:00. > :32:03.disturbed recently when we looked disturbed recently when we looked
:32:04. > :32:09.into the nature of the housing management for our service families
:32:10. > :32:13.which seems to be war. Can the Minister tell me how he is going to
:32:14. > :32:21.make sure we get value for money and a better service to our service
:32:22. > :32:25.families? I am pleased to be able to confirm that the Public Accounts
:32:26. > :32:32.Committee is also finding that in the area of defence equipment and
:32:33. > :32:35.German we have consistently brought programmes then within budget and
:32:36. > :32:41.with minimal time overruns. We have more to do on housing. Where the
:32:42. > :32:44.defence budget is spent is crucial and given the uncertainty that has
:32:45. > :32:48.because of the British Steel industry as a result of the EU
:32:49. > :32:56.referendum vote, what reassurance can he give them at this time? We
:32:57. > :33:03.have adopted the Government's policy to ensure that Steele contracted
:33:04. > :33:07.makes all steel procurement opportunities available to UK
:33:08. > :33:12.producers. It is the case that there is a much reduced amount of steel
:33:13. > :33:16.expected to be available for tender in future work because the
:33:17. > :33:19.substantial part has been in the aircraft carrier programme and we
:33:20. > :33:26.will not be building vessels as big as that for the foreseeable future.
:33:27. > :33:32.I welcome the Government's spending 2% on defence, but can he confirmed
:33:33. > :33:38.there is no increase in cash terms and we will not find a situation
:33:39. > :33:42.like this year where in order to meet the 2% money was transferred
:33:43. > :33:54.from other departments to meet the 2%? As is made clear last year at
:33:55. > :34:00.the same time as the STS are, it is going up each year in real terms.
:34:01. > :34:04.There has been much talk about the increase in the defence budget, but
:34:05. > :34:10.to hit the 2% of GDP target, we have to be careful given the result of
:34:11. > :34:13.the Brexit vote and there may be a recession. Can he reassure the
:34:14. > :34:18.House, the public and the Armed House, the public and the Armed
:34:19. > :34:22.Forces that the Government's commitment on defence spending will
:34:23. > :34:27.be maintained not just in terms of GDP but also tonnes of cash? I will
:34:28. > :34:30.not join with those on the other side of the House you want to talk
:34:31. > :34:34.the economy down. We have a clear commitment to meet the Nato defence
:34:35. > :34:49.spending pledge and that is what we spending pledge and that is what we
:34:50. > :34:53.will do. Mr Speaker, the department continues to develop are unable for
:34:54. > :34:59.structure as we set out in the defence review. This will include
:35:00. > :35:09.completing two aircraft carriers, eight combat ships, offshore patrol
:35:10. > :35:13.vessels. Can the Minister confirm press reports today of leaked
:35:14. > :35:19.correspondence showing that the MOD are looking to save ?500 million and
:35:20. > :35:31.the type 26 programme, refusing an offer from PE and starting the
:35:32. > :35:36.programme in time? As I have already said on the type 26 programme, we
:35:37. > :35:40.will enter into a contract was never established the best value for the
:35:41. > :35:44.taxpayer and to schedule that can be delivered by the contractor. After
:35:45. > :35:49.the vote last week, these are uncertain times for UK manufacturer.
:35:50. > :35:56.One thing the Government could do to boost manufacturing would be to make
:35:57. > :36:03.a decision on the successor. Can he say when that will be? He will have
:36:04. > :36:14.heard my right honourable friend confirmed this will not be very
:36:15. > :36:21.long. The national security council has considered preparations for the
:36:22. > :36:27.Walsall Summit next week. Our intention is to demonstrate at
:36:28. > :36:31.adaptable and transparent and adaptable and transparent and
:36:32. > :36:33.responding to the range of threats responding to the range of threats
:36:34. > :36:41.that we face today. The United that we face today. The United
:36:42. > :36:49.Kingdom is seen as an ineffective partner in global Affairs, as is
:36:50. > :36:54.highlighted by the supreme Commander of Nato. What does the Secretary of
:36:55. > :37:00.State think his Government can achieve in Warsaw? I hope that we
:37:01. > :37:06.can further reassure those Nato members on the eastern flank that we
:37:07. > :37:11.stand by our commitment in the face of Russian aggression. I hope we
:37:12. > :37:16.continue to make the alliance more flexible to deal with the new threat
:37:17. > :37:21.that we face, particularly from cyber and hybrid warfare. I hope to
:37:22. > :37:25.British leadership we will encourage other allies to meet the 2%
:37:26. > :37:33.commitment that we are already meeting this year. The Secretary of
:37:34. > :37:39.State will be aware that we cannot hide behind the percentage GDP. We
:37:40. > :37:42.need Nato membership and partnership more than ever before giving the
:37:43. > :37:57.vote on Thursday and the dreadful result. You can get all of our
:37:58. > :38:03.defence forces into Wembley. We have more than 100,000 members of our
:38:04. > :38:10.Armed Forces, but I agree with him on the importance of Nato. Because
:38:11. > :38:15.we are withdrawing from the European Union, it is even more important to
:38:16. > :38:19.reinforce our commitment to Nato and to the obligations of Nato
:38:20. > :38:24.membership. That is why we lead in complying with the 2% commitment and
:38:25. > :38:29.that is why you will hear at the Walsall summit the additional
:38:30. > :38:40.deployments we are likely to make to the eastern flank. Forces aligned to
:38:41. > :38:44.the Libyan Government of national accord are making progress against
:38:45. > :38:51.Daesh, while Daesh may have suffered setbacks in their stronghold in the
:38:52. > :38:57.East they have not been defeated and they may look to re-establish
:38:58. > :39:00.themselves elsewhere in Libya. In Tripoli the security situation is
:39:01. > :39:09.calm but fragile, with increasing support for the president from the
:39:10. > :39:14.militia. Libya was seen as the worst foreign policy disaster of the
:39:15. > :39:19.Government. What discussions he has had with EU counterparts about the
:39:20. > :39:23.continued involvement in the cost of Libya? I continue to discuss this
:39:24. > :39:32.counterparts. We have agreed to counterparts. We have agreed to
:39:33. > :39:36.deploy an additional vessel to that particular operation and we are
:39:37. > :39:39.working with the new Libyan Government, I have spoken to the
:39:40. > :39:46.defence Minister there, we are working with them to support them in
:39:47. > :39:50.their fight against Daesh. It is also vital that we continue to work
:39:51. > :39:57.with other allies along because flying and I can announce today that
:39:58. > :40:07.we are extending the training that we provide to Tunisian forces for a
:40:08. > :40:10.further year. Small businesses are crucial for growth and innovation in
:40:11. > :40:15.this country and we are determined they should play an increasing part
:40:16. > :40:18.in supplying defence. We are committed to achieving 25% of
:40:19. > :40:24.barbecue and spend with small and medium businesses by 2020, that is
:40:25. > :40:29.10% higher than sector in the last Parliament. We have refreshed our
:40:30. > :40:33.small and medium business policy. What that is my honourable friend
:40:34. > :40:39.taking to make as simple as possible for small firms to benefit from this
:40:40. > :40:44.increased spend? We have appointed a new network of supply chain
:40:45. > :40:50.advocates to provide a named point of contact for potential suppliers.
:40:51. > :40:53.We are providing an online tool to supply opportunities and we are
:40:54. > :41:03.simplifying our terms and conditions.
:41:04. > :41:09.A former first Sea Lord told the Defence Select Committee that the
:41:10. > :41:13.delay in the Type 26 frigate programme was due to money problems
:41:14. > :41:17.in the MoD budget. So can the Minister tell the house and more
:41:18. > :41:20.importantly tell the workers on the Clyde how many jobs will be lost,
:41:21. > :41:25.and what is the impact on the world-class apprenticeship
:41:26. > :41:30.programme? Apprentices are very important to maintain skills on the
:41:31. > :41:35.Clyde to complete the programme for Type 26. The intent is to, once we
:41:36. > :41:39.signed the contract, we will then have clarity on the best value for
:41:40. > :41:49.money that we will be able to get for the taxpayer, and that is our
:41:50. > :41:53.priority. With regard to targeting the rules of engagement, the use of
:41:54. > :41:56.remotely piloted air Systems is no different to that of any other
:41:57. > :42:05.aircraft. Therefore there is no separate policy of their use in this
:42:06. > :42:10.respect. With respect, it is evident the Government intends to use lethal
:42:11. > :42:12.force outside armed conflict for counterterrorism purposes despite
:42:13. > :42:17.the legal basis for that being unclear. Will the Government clarify
:42:18. > :42:19.the legal basis for the use of Crohn's or targeted killing outside
:42:20. > :42:26.of armed conflict? -- the use of drones. We are very clear that this
:42:27. > :42:29.is guided by international law, and we're there is an identified, direct
:42:30. > :42:33.and immediate threats to the United Kingdom, where we have no other
:42:34. > :42:41.means of dealing with it, we reserve the right to use force. There was a
:42:42. > :42:45.question on this very same subject, does the member wish to intervene
:42:46. > :42:59.and give a benefit of a sports? No. Very helpful. Order! Topical
:43:00. > :43:05.questions. My immediate priorities remains excess in our operations
:43:06. > :43:07.against Daesh, and in preventing our Strategic Defence Review
:43:08. > :43:11.commitments. On Friday week I will join the Prime Minister for the Nato
:43:12. > :43:15.summit in Warsaw where we will review progress since the Wales
:43:16. > :43:19.summit, agree further reassurance to our eastern allies, and take further
:43:20. > :43:27.steps to demonstrate the Alliance's strength and unity. Given the
:43:28. > :43:30.project success of the Brexit campaign and the subsequent downward
:43:31. > :43:35.spiral in the value of the pound, which is now a 31 year low, can the
:43:36. > :43:39.Minister tell me additional cost to the trident renewable programme on
:43:40. > :43:46.top the current estimate of ?205 billion? We published in the
:43:47. > :43:50.Strategic Defence Review, our most up-to-date assessment of the cost of
:43:51. > :43:57.the Trident replacement programme, at ?31 billion, plus a contingency
:43:58. > :44:02.of a further ?10 billion. In light of the momentous decision taken by
:44:03. > :44:07.the nation last Thursday, can my honourable friend explained to the
:44:08. > :44:11.house what implications that decision has on working in military
:44:12. > :44:16.intelligence from not only European countries but also other countries
:44:17. > :44:21.from around the world? Defence in the UK is grounded in our strength
:44:22. > :44:24.and relationships with our closest allies and partners. We worked
:44:25. > :44:29.extensively with them principally through Nato, but also bilaterally.
:44:30. > :44:36.The UK's decision to leave the EU does not change that approach? . In
:44:37. > :44:40.the first year of this Government, there were over 1800 properties
:44:41. > :44:44.within the married quarters estate that will let NT for the majority of
:44:45. > :44:48.the year. Since then, the number has more than quadrupled. Can the
:44:49. > :44:54.minister explained why this has been allowed to happen, why these
:44:55. > :44:57.properties are not being used? My understanding is there are just
:44:58. > :45:02.under 10,000 VoIP properties at the moment under the SFA estate. We need
:45:03. > :45:07.VoIP properties division that when people trickle post they have a
:45:08. > :45:10.project to go to. She will be aware we are moving the army back from
:45:11. > :45:13.Germany at the moment, so we need to their properties, but up to half of
:45:14. > :45:22.these properties are currently up for disposal. The fact is apartment
:45:23. > :45:25.property, policy, is that around 10% of these properties should remain
:45:26. > :45:30.vacant, in fact there are more than 20%. The reality is that there is
:45:31. > :45:33.such a high proportion of these anti-properties because they are not
:45:34. > :45:37.in a fit state for people to live in, and they cannot be released for
:45:38. > :45:41.sale by the leaseholder because they would cost too much for this
:45:42. > :45:48.Government to repair, and yet the taxpayers having to spend more than
:45:49. > :45:51.30 million every year for the MoD to rent these properties. Can the
:45:52. > :45:58.minister explained why his department is wasting ?30 million?
:45:59. > :46:02.I'm not sure the honourable lady had my answer. It is not every year we
:46:03. > :46:06.seek to return the Army back from Germany, which is why we do need to
:46:07. > :46:10.have extra properties. But over half the properties are currently up for
:46:11. > :46:16.disposal, and in addition to that we also invested over ?200 million in
:46:17. > :46:18.building 1200 new service accommodations to ensure we get the
:46:19. > :46:27.best quality accommodation for our troops. Whilst I welcome the recent
:46:28. > :46:34.announcement that Lincolnshire will still have an airshow, what is my --
:46:35. > :46:37.what steps is my honourable friend taking to increase home ownership of
:46:38. > :46:42.memories of the Armed Forces? I'm delighted to say that since the
:46:43. > :46:44.forces helped to buy scheme was introduced thousands of service
:46:45. > :46:50.families have taken the opportunity to buy their own home. Will the
:46:51. > :46:56.Minister undertake an urgent review of the awards of the Legion of
:46:57. > :47:01.honour? I have many constituents who have been awarded by the French
:47:02. > :47:04.authorities, I have notified the Mr defence over a year ago, and are
:47:05. > :47:08.still not received their medals. Could the Minister look at this
:47:09. > :47:13.urgently? I am more than happy to look at this. The honourable
:47:14. > :47:16.gentleman will be aware there was a review. It is fair to say the French
:47:17. > :47:19.authorities have simply been overwhelmed by the number of
:47:20. > :47:23.applications, but we have a system over 200 cent each week to the
:47:24. > :47:25.French, and of the original applications which remain I
:47:26. > :47:30.understand the all now have been awarded. My honourable friend will
:47:31. > :47:36.be aware of the valuable and essential work done by African union
:47:37. > :47:39.troops to prevent and ameliorate conflict all or African, work that
:47:40. > :47:43.is essential for this country as well. Can he update the house on the
:47:44. > :47:51.support being provided to them by the UK to assist with their
:47:52. > :47:54.peacekeeping role? He affords me the opportunity to be commuted to our
:47:55. > :47:59.forces are training the Rwandan forces as well as the African union
:48:00. > :48:02.East Africa stand-by force. The training we are providing is there
:48:03. > :48:08.to help security sector reform and also enhance their capabilities for
:48:09. > :48:16.peace operations and also disaster relief. Following the questioning of
:48:17. > :48:21.MoD officials at the Public Accounts Committee on infantry management,
:48:22. > :48:22.will the Minister tell us what the current state of the commodity
:48:23. > :48:28.services transformation programme is? Is the super shed built, and how
:48:29. > :48:31.confident is the Government that the transformation of logistics to
:48:32. > :48:37.support armed services will not result in equipment shortages? The
:48:38. > :48:43.new MOD Donington facility will be completed on schedule before the end
:48:44. > :48:47.of the year. Can the Department update the house on progress being
:48:48. > :48:50.made in increasing the number of cadet units in state schools so that
:48:51. > :48:57.more young people can benefit from the skills and experiences from
:48:58. > :49:01.those cadet units? We are receiving a healthy number of applications to
:49:02. > :49:06.set up new units, Mr Speaker. These are processed through a run. 25 new
:49:07. > :49:13.state school units have been approved since November last year.
:49:14. > :49:19.350 school cadet units are currently parading. And the programme is on
:49:20. > :49:27.track to achieve its target of 500 in schools by 2020. Thousands of
:49:28. > :49:34.Kurdish Peshmerga have died of its usually injured by fighting wood.
:49:35. > :49:38.Can we -- by fighting Daesh. Can we rush in a field hospital and allow
:49:39. > :49:41.at least some of the must use the injured to benefit from special
:49:42. > :49:47.searing the UK? It is the least we can do. We have done it huge amount
:49:48. > :49:54.to support Kurdish fighters. To date we have trained 3900, and that
:49:55. > :50:04.includes not just dealing with IED pars-mac, but also first aid and
:50:05. > :50:08.first line support. -- IEDs. I met a constituent who was injured by
:50:09. > :50:14.thunder flash in 1979 but his injury was not diagnosed until 2011. Will
:50:15. > :50:19.Ministers look at his case to ensure he is receiving all the compensation
:50:20. > :50:22.and pension that he deserves? I will of course be delighted to look at
:50:23. > :50:34.the case, may I suggest that we meet? What percentage of the G8
:50:35. > :50:41.contract will be offset to British companies, and will he confirm that
:50:42. > :50:47.missiles will be procured from British companies? The P8 contract
:50:48. > :50:56.has not yet been met. We announced at the time our intention to procure
:50:57. > :51:05.P8 that some $4.5 million per aircraft is UK sourced. Support
:51:06. > :51:08.contracts will be let in due course. Despite Airbus trying to bully their
:51:09. > :51:12.employees to vote Remain in the referendum last week, and my
:51:13. > :51:20.honourable friend assure the house that the wings of the beneficent
:51:21. > :51:25.aircraft will still be made here? Airbus are an important defence
:51:26. > :51:27.contractor who are obviously a significant employer in his
:51:28. > :51:31.constituency in both civil and defence work. Where they choose to
:51:32. > :51:38.locate wings in civil contract in the future will be a matter for
:51:39. > :51:44.Airbus. Distressingly, Unicef reported that yesterday in Syria 25
:51:45. > :51:47.children were killed by air strikes. Can I ask the Secretary of State to
:51:48. > :51:50.tell us what conversations he is having with our international
:51:51. > :51:57.partners to make sure that we take every necessary step to defend
:51:58. > :52:01.civilians? The Honourable Lady raises an important point, and to
:52:02. > :52:06.date on that operation we know that from the UK strikes we have had no
:52:07. > :52:10.reports of civilian casualties, and that is because of the care that we
:52:11. > :52:15.take, and the investigations that we do after every strike. We are
:52:16. > :52:29.working with our allies to develop joint policy in this area.
:52:30. > :52:39.I'm delighted to receive such a welcome. The Royal military School
:52:40. > :52:44.of music has been here for 150 years. Will the Minister work with
:52:45. > :52:54.me to work with the Ministry of Defence to keep a physical military
:52:55. > :52:57.presence remaining in Witton. Can I commend my Honourable Friend? Our
:52:58. > :52:58.constituents could not ask for a greater champion when it comes to
:52:59. > :53:15.this issue. Since our adjournment debate last
:53:16. > :53:17.month, the situation has not changed, however, I am convinced we
:53:18. > :53:25.will continue to have military concerts there in the future.
:53:26. > :53:34.Exactly what action is the Government taking to protest about
:53:35. > :53:42.the use of phosphorus bombs against the people? We have a very clear
:53:43. > :53:47.policy in this country for the export of the nations and the like.
:53:48. > :53:53.We have not exported cluster munitions since 1989. The Honourable
:53:54. > :54:00.Lady is asking about phosphorus. I will write to the Honourable Lady
:54:01. > :54:05.later. I was grateful for the Minster's earlier answer on the
:54:06. > :54:08.expansion programme. Could he indicate at what point if at all
:54:09. > :54:11.expressions of interest from schools in non-priority areas will be
:54:12. > :54:20.accepted if insufficient applications are made from priority
:54:21. > :54:25.areas? My honourable friend reflects on the problems of success. We do in
:54:26. > :54:28.fact have many applications from priority areas according to the
:54:29. > :54:34.three criteria that have been set out a number of times. I cannot make
:54:35. > :54:38.any firm promises, I'm afraid, for those who do not meet the priority
:54:39. > :54:46.criteria. We are firmly on track to deliver the skills we need. Last
:54:47. > :54:49.Friday I was invited to the 4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment
:54:50. > :54:53.based in Barnsley, to thank them for their service I had of Armed Forces
:54:54. > :54:57.Day. Will the Secretary of State join me in pain could it to the
:54:58. > :55:04.superb men and women there, superbly led a major Darren Schofield? That
:55:05. > :55:07.may congratulate all those from the Armed Forces, including those from
:55:08. > :55:12.reserve units who took place at key events in Cleethorpes, Plymouth,
:55:13. > :55:17.Glasgow, Woolwich, and many other locations up and down the country.
:55:18. > :55:23.We are proud of them, and we gave the public the opportunity to show
:55:24. > :55:25.their support. Will the Secretary of State reassure the house that in
:55:26. > :55:33.contrast to the party opposite, morale in Armed Forces remains high,
:55:34. > :55:35.and desertion rates are very low? I'm happy to confirm that from our
:55:36. > :55:41.attitude survey that we do every year. Morale is high, and the Armed
:55:42. > :55:44.Forces appreciate that with a growing defence budget every single
:55:45. > :55:52.year they have much to look forward to. I thank the veterans Minister
:55:53. > :55:57.for listening to the plight of war widows penalised for remarrying.
:55:58. > :56:03.Could he give a sense of how long his review into this matter will
:56:04. > :56:04.take? I hope to come back to the house and the honourable gentleman
:56:05. > :56:23.as soon as possible. World member wishing to take her
:56:24. > :56:43.seat, please come to the table. -- with the members.
:56:44. > :56:50.I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and there true
:56:51. > :56:52.allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors,
:56:53. > :57:02.according to law, so help me God.