Live Defence Questions House of Commons

occasion and wishing them all the

very best for their future together.

Order. Questions to the Secretary of

State for Defence, Mr Gavin

Newlands.

May I start by

congratulating and a half of those

who worked in our Armed Forces his

Royal Highness Prince Harry and his

engagement to Meghan Markle. Prince

Harry has acted as a proud champion

of service men and women in the

Armed Forces. Most notably with his

commitment to the Invictus Games.

I'm sure we would all like to echo

your words Mr Speaker in wishing

them the very best in their shared

future together. During my first few

weeks as Defence Secretary, I've had

the privilege of being able to join

the army on Salisbury Plain, the RAF

in costs that and the Navy in

Devonport. It is truly moving to see

the dedication and commitment they

all show in terms of their work. On

the eighth and 9th of November I had

the opportunity to join fellow Nato

defence ministers to discuss future

Nato command. This is about creating

a new structure to leave Nato, but

as yet the establishment of a

command for the Atlantic and its

location has yet to be decided.

I

thank the Secretary of State for

that answer. With Russian submarine

activity in Scottish waters and just

last week the Russian destroyer.

Given these facts how can the

Secretary of State reassure Scots he

will meet the needs of Scotland

which sits in a vital strategic

position when the command is

re-established?

The honourable

gentleman makes an important point

about the increased activity of

Russian submarines in the north

Atlantic. I'm sure he would welcome

the investment that the UK

Government is putting in Her

Majesty's naval base Clyde. £1.5

billion investing in Scotland, 6500

personnel already based there. That

number is going to increase. Nato,

and what we do in terms of Nato, is

absolutely vital. The cornerstone of

our defence. You have to understand

it isn't just about conventional

warfare and conventional deterrence,

it's also about a nuclear deterrent.

If we don't recognise the fact

nuclear weapons have been

safeguarding our security, then you

don't understand what Nato is. I

very much hope the honourable

gentleman will start to welcome not

just our investment in investment in

submarines in Scotland in terms of

conventional submarines but also

nuclear submarines as well.

At a

time when global threats to British

interests around the world are

increasing, with the Secretary of

State agree that it might seem

illogical to have a defence

capability review that could

decrease our capabilities at a time

when we need to be doing everything

we can to increase the fighting

power of our Armed Forces?

I think

my honourable friend makes a

valuable point in terms of making

sure we have the right capability

for all our Armed Forces. I'm taking

the opportunity to look at all the

work that's been done, and making my

own judgment as to the best way to

go forward on this.

Speaker, I'd

like to extend warm wishes to the

happy couple. I can tell you that my

mother has already asked if she can

join me in London on the day of the

royal wedding. Mr Speaker, I'd like

to pay to beat to the Royal Navy

assets including HMS protector, that

have taken part in the search for

the San Juan. With that in mind

let's move from the south to the

North Atlantic. Can I welcome the

Secretary of State on his first

appearance at the dispatch box. We

of course have differences but where

we can agree on Scotland's interests

we will hopefully do so. With that

in mind and the re-establishment of

the Nato command does he agree

Scotland is ideally placed to host

such a command?

I have no doubt

there are many places within the UK

that would be brilliant places to

host such a command and I will be

making strong representations with

all our Nato partners to make sure

we get the best deal out of Nato. At

the moment it is too early to

determine whether command is going

to be but I will be doing everything

I can to in this year it is in the

UK.

I understand this will be

discussed in February next year. At

like to point out Scotland is the

most northerly nation not to have

any territory inside the Arctic

Circle, it's in a strategic position

jutting out into Nato's north

Atlantic heartland, with access to

the Icelandic gap. It has

unparalleled history in maritime

aviation... Given what my honourable

friend has also said, will he commit

to further investigating the strong

position Scotland is in and taking

that to Nato?

I'm always delighted

to explore the many benefits that

Scotland bring to our union. The

fact Scotland is always stronger has

been part of the United Kingdom than

on its own. I welcome the continued

investment which we do put in

Scotland. It's absolutely integral

to our defence as a nation. But we

are always stronger together, and I

will be happy to look at all the

evidence about making sure we

continue to get the very best

investment in Scotland from our

Armed Forces.

Thank you Mr Speaker.

I have regular meetings with the

Chancellor, as yet I'm to have a

formal meeting with the Chancellor

but I'm very much looking forward to

doing so to discuss our shared

future. In

to the Defence Secretary from 25 of

his Conservative colleagues, they

said "We look forward to the

rhetoric being matched in deeds".

Will the Secretary of State isn't

all colleagues from all sides of the

House and much the government's

rhetoric with increased resources

for our armed services?

What we have

in terms of our national security

and capability review is the

opportunity to step back, look at

the threats and challenges that this

country faces, whether it is from

cyber, more conventional threats.

And make sure that we have the right

resources in place so that we can

deliver for our Armed Forces. That

is what I'll be looking at and I'm

looking forward to meeting the

Chancellor as well as many others to

have those discussions going

forward.

May I warmly congratulate

my right honourable friend on taking

up office in this vital position.

When he does speak to the

Chancellor, will he take the

opportunity of reminding him that in

the Cold War years we spent 5% of

GDP on defence. Now we spend barely

2% of GDP on defence, and perhaps a

target nearer to 3% of GDP on

defence might prevent our Armed

Forces being further hollowed out.

I

will always listen intensely and

carefully to my right honourable

friend in terms of his arguments.

I've always seen 2% as a base is

against a ceiling. I will certainly

be taking on board his thoughts and

comments going forward in terms of

all discussions that I have.

I

welcome the honourable gentleman to

his new post, and welcome to the

world of Royal defence. A report

earlier this year highlighted the

government committed £24.4 billion

to extra equipment but only another

6.4 billion was actually there in

new money for BJ SF, four example.

How is he going to fill but £18

billion black hole in the Budget and

the basis that both efficiencies and

the headroom identified hasn't yet

been met?

What we have is an

unparalleled commitment from this

government to continue increased

defence spending in terms of

equipment. 0.5% above inflation,

every single year. We are happy to

look at all the issues within the

National Audit Office report and

make sure that working with our

industrial partners we deliver best

value for amp -- for our Armed

Forces.

I would like to welcome my

constituency neighbour to his place.

Training is cute in searing our

Armed Forces are operationally

ready, should they need to be

mobilised. Could my right honourable

friend outline what measures are

being taken to ensure training is

well funded?

We offer use to be

criticised for having the most

poorly equipped Armed Forces but the

best trained Armed Forces. But I

hope to ensure in my tenure as

Secretary of State is we have both

the best equipment and the best

training. Talking to colleagues,

ministerial colleagues whether from

Norway or so many other countries

across Europe, they all recognise

our commitment to training, and

that's something we're going to

continue to invest in going forward,

including but the Royal Marines do

in Norway every single winter.

I

welcome the Secretary of State to

his place and I echo his and your

good wishes to his Royal Highness

Prince Harry and Meghan on the

engagement. You cannot do security

on the cheap. With expert after

expert highlighting serious gaps in

defence funding, it was surreal last

week to hear the permanent private

secretary say that the man in charge

had made no formal pre-budget

request to the Chancellor for more

money. It's one thing to ask and not

get, but another not even to bother

asking. Did I hear correctly today,

and with the Secretary of State just

confirmed for us, that he actually

didn't make any representations to

the Chancellor before the Budget?

We have to ensure that we know what

the needs for our Armed Forces going

forward. Now you may wish to rush

into things and and demand, what I

want to do is make sure we have the

arguments ready, understand the

threats that this country faces and

make sure that we deliver for our

Armed Forces. That will be the

focus. I have many conversations

with the Chancellor and I look

forward to many more going forward

to

forward to many more going forward

to.

I will take that as a no. This

is serious, we are hearing that the

Marines may be cut by 20% and the

Marines reduced to -- the Army cuts

to 70,000. With ministers in open

rebellion over cuts, how bad can do

things have to get before the

Secretary of State does his job and

tell the Prime Minister and

Chancellor that enough is enough?

I

will take many lectures from many

people but from the party that has

led -- that is led by a man that

does not even believe in the British

Army, that does not believe in a

nuclear deterrent, to be lectured

about defence spending is rich. This

is the party, the Conservative

Party, that is making sure that we

deliver on 2%. We are the party that

is making sure that we increase

defence spending. To have lectures

from a party that is led by a man

that does not even believe in the

British Army, I find shocking.

Thank

you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am

pleased to see that cadets are so

popular in the chamber. In 2015, the

government committed 15 million to

increase the number of cadets

instate schools through the cadet

expansion programme. This programme

is on track to achieve a target of

500 and cadet units in 2020.

The Sea

Cadet Corps in Henley has produced

opportunity for my daughters to have

personal development. With the

Minister agree that it is important

to support cadet units instate

schools, particularly with things

like uniforms?

Aceh lived the happy

to agree with my honourable friend.

He is right to say that the debt

units provide life skills and social

mobility, often things that schools

cannot provide. I will pay tribute

to the work that the cadet stayed in

participating in Remembrance Sunday

up and down the country.

Mr Speaker,

I was able to see a 119 Scunthorpe

Squadron cadets outside the school

on Sunday. They do fantastic work

developing young people and the

young people and their volunteers

are a tribute to all of us. What is

the government doing to ensure that

cadet groups, Army, Navy and Sea

Cadets, continue to play an

important role in our communities?

I

would congratulate the honourable

gentleman on visiting his unit and

may encourage other members to take

an opportunity to support our cadet

programmes up and down the country

when they are in their

constituencies. We have the

expansion programme, 126,000 cadets

supported by 28,000 volunteers, and

we are grateful to them.

Given the

report by my honourable friend for

Rayleigh and Wickford, would the

Minister agree that schemes such as

the combined cadet scheme in my

constituency is an excellent idea

and encourage others close to adopt

the programme?

Me I commend my

honourable friend for understanding

the challenges that we are facing in

recruitment and retention. It is

absolutely right to say that as a

starting point, the cadet programme

is essential to encourage an open up

opportunities in the Armed Forces.

20% of those who sign up for the

cadet go on to become members of the

Armed Forces and the other 80% have

a desire to supporting Armed Forces,

also welcome.

The Combined Cadet

Force at my local comprehensive has

been going for many years now. Young

people have been given skills and

opportunities that they would never

have had a chance to access. The

same goes for the Sea Cadets. But

one of the daft thing that the MoD

did last year was selling a barracks

for a paltry sum of money and now we

need a venue for the Sea Cadets and

the Combined Cadet Force to work

together. Would he have time to

visit the Rhondda and look at the

Combined Cadet Force and the Sea

Cadets?

I'm not sure how useful I

would be if I have spare time in the

future! I would say that there is an

Armed Forces rationalisation

programme of real estate in the UK.

2% of the land is owned by the MoD.

We are rationalising that. It may

include some locations at the

mention but we need to work with

local authorities and members of

Parliament to make sure that cadets

have a place to go because of the

contribution that they make to wider

society and the Armed Forces in

general.

Question for, Mr Speaker.

HMS Queen Elizabeth has returned to

Portsmouth after a successful second

set of the trial. Her commissioning

ceremony is planned in the presence

of Her Majesty the Queen and the

handover is planned for the end of

the year.

Does my honourable friend

agree with me that a sense of

urgency has come into this because

we are planning a global future for

ourselves which will require a

greater presence around the world

and with the Royal wedding coming

next year, and with the absence of

the Royal yacht Britannia, the new

Princess and Prince will require

something to sell around the seas

with?

I certainly was not

anticipating that line of

questioning! But he is absolutely

right. This new class of aircraft

carrier will give a powerful

expression of national ambition and

intent and they are versatile and

agile ships that will be able to

perform a wide range of maritime

security roles.

Can the Minister

confirm that the government sees the

future of Queen Elizabeth when it

comes into service as an aircraft

carrier and not in order to meet

defence cuts, replacing amphibious

landing craft?

I am delighted to

confirm that not only do we have one

aircraft carrier, but we have a

second aircraft carrier which is now

structurally complete at Rosyth. Of

course there will be adaptations to

insure that the carriers are able to

support the full range of

helicopters in our fleet, but we

have absolutely confirmed that we

will have a full range of maritime

capabilities from these two

remarkable and adaptable ships.

It

is going to be essential that we

have sufficient surface fleet to

provide escort capability for the

carriers. Can the Minister confirm

that we will get sufficient of the

Type 31e frigate. And if possible,

they will be made from UK steel?

My

honourable friend is absolutely

right and to give contents, one of

the maritime sustainability tankers

has been commissioned into the army.

There are six Type 45 destroyers. We

cut steel on the first eight new

anti-submarine frigates and we are

running a competition for the Type

31e frigate.

HMS Diamond recently

had to abandon operations because of

issues with its propeller. This

means that none of the Type 45

destroyers are currently at sea.

Given that the role that they will

play, what action the government

taking the remedy this is you?

Clearly, there is a limit of what we

can comment on in terms of the

specifics. But I can reassure the

honourable gentleman that of course

as part of our regular. Royal and,

we will be regenerating that

particular capability and that the

Royal Navy is able to fulfil all its

rolls around the world.

I will point

out to the House that although

engaging, the exchanges have been

slow. There are reporting questions

on the order paper which I am keen

to reach. Let's speed up.

Question

five. The UK Minister of defence and

BA E are working to bring forward

the Hawk aircraft.

The importance of

a consistent flow of orders to

maintain a supply chain for Hawk

aircraft. Can I verify -- get the

Minister to clarify, the Minister

referred to 12 Hawk aircraft for

Casado and has this increased from

the six Hawk aircraft?

-- to Qatar.

I can confirm that the government is

working in every way it can and we

have orders from the government of

Qatar... I can write to the

honourable gentleman if there is

confusion, I thought it was six.

Mr

Speaker, how important are these

iconic aircraft in promoting the

soft power of a global Britain?

Well, I know that my honourable

friend the constituency neighbour

will know that the Red Arrows have

just returned from a very successful

tour of the Gulf. Part of what they

do is support the wonderful export

campaigns that the company is

running.

There are 21 RAF officers

sitting in the gallery today who are

due to be deployed this year. I am

sure that the whole house wishes

them well. Ten days ago, we had a

debate in this chamber for a new

defence industrial strategy. Given

the jobs that are still vulnerable

at this factory, Kimi have a defence

strategy, please?

I am happy to pay

tribute to the people who are here

in the gallery and everything that

they do. But the honourable lady

also is right to keep raising these

is used and I can assure her that

the government is focusing very

fully on the point is that she has

raised.

On the day the government is

launching its industrial strategy,

this country is in danger of losing

its sovereign defence industrial

capability, not least in aerospace.

Can the Minister be specific and

tell us what efforts she is making

to promote additional orders across

the world?

Nonsense. Mr Speaker, we

could not be working harder across

the globe. We have not only the

Department for International Trade,

we have a fantastic network of

international Tasha is. I am working

tirelessly on behalf of the

government to support export

campaigns around the world as is my

colleague, the Secretary of State

for International Development.

Number six --.

Number six, Mr

Speaker.

We take cyber attacks raise

seriously and are taking them

seriously. We are investing £5

million on a programme of cyber

fallibility investigations for

military equipment and building a

new investigation centre and making

sure our people are fully equipped

to meet the cyber challenge.

Thank

you Julie Minister for that answer

that is the Minister looking at the

recent Russian activity especially

in Ukraine and Crimea, where it is

clear that cyber warfare has been

handing glove with conventional

warfare. And the initiatives

announced today are very welcome but

does he realise that he have to be

speaking to other government

departments, commercial interests

and media interest?

The honourable

gentleman makes a powerful point. I

was in the Ukraine recently. This is

why this has to be a cross

government effort and why we are

spending £1.9 billion on our

National Cyber Security Centre G. --

cyber Security strategy.

Recruiting

and retaining people of exceptional

ability and events needs exceptional

levels of pay. Can I urge my right

honourable friend to have this in

mind?

My honourable friend makes a

reasonable point. I was at his

constituency looking at GCHQ and

looking at the work that the MOD and

GCHQ are carrying out together. That

is why we are determined to invest

in a career structure for cyber

specialists and will be opening the

defence cyber school and the defence

Academy in Shrivenham in January 20

18.

Tweets are cheaper than tanks

and Russia, Iran and other state and

non-state actors are looking to

cyber and social media as a way of

destabilising the West. The Foreign

Secretary told this out that he had

seen no evidence of Russian

interference in the UK in the

referendum, has he?

There are limits just what we can

discuss in this chamber. In this age

of constant competition, this

country is under constant attack

both through state and non-state

actors. This is a defence capability

which we are determined to continue

to invest in.

Would he agree a

trade-off between cyber and

conventional capabilities is wrong?

That the MoD needs to be capable of

cyber, conventional and

non-conventional forms of warfare?

And does he agree that further cuts

to our niche and specialist

capabilities will do strategic harm

to this country? Thank you.

I

certainly agree this isn't a binary

choice. It is more of a digital

choice as we look forward to further

on in the 21st century. That's why

it is right we are carrying out the

national security and capability

review. As threats intensify across

the spectrum, we have to invest in

them.

Mr Speaker, I wonder whether

the Minister heard BBC Radio 4's

profile yesterday of Putin's chef

and his so-called troll factory in

St Petersburg. If he heard it he

should be concerned at Russia's

increasing efforts in cyber warfare

and the disruption it poses to our

democracy and the defence of the

realm. I wonder what steps he and

his department are trying to take to

minimise that serious Russian

threat?

I'm grateful, it gives me

the opportunity to say that I didn't

because I was at the 100th

anniversary of the first use of a

tank in France, and a marvellous

event it was too. He makes a

reasonable point. I can only refer

him to some of the comments I made

during this question about the

investment and how seriously we take

that threat.

The MoD works closely

with our allies and partners making

a crucial contribution to Britain's

status as a global power. The

challenging global security context,

including a resurgent Russia, makes

our relationships all the more vital

going forward. In my first three

weeks I've met defence ministers

from the US, France and other Nato

members and will continue to engage

widely.

Given the current financial

pressures within the MoD does my

right honourable friend agree that

Lieutenant General Ben Hodges the

commander of the US Army in Europe,

he says Britain risks going into a

different type of category of Ally

if we cannot maintain our capability

commitments?

When I had the good

fortune to sit down with the

secretary Mattis to discuss our

partnership, what struck me was the

valley the US puts on everything

Britain does. The contribution our

men and equipment maker -- the value

the US puts on everything Britain

does. He left me in no doubt that

that commitment, that support we

have always provided the United

States will always be there going

forward.

Thank you. Despite what the

Secretary of State says, Lieutenant

General Hodges and James Mattis have

both said that we'll lose our clout

in Nato, we will lose our place at

the top table, if the cuts continue.

Will the new Secretary of State

permit to stopping the cuts to our

capability and actually making sure

Britain does stay at the top table

and has the capability to defend

ourselves and our allies?

This

government's commitment to making

sure we have the best that our Armed

Forces has always been clear, with a

rising defence Budget going from 36

billion to 40 billion, that is

evidence of that commitment. The

United States knows quite clearly

that we will always be there in

support of them regardless of what

the honourable lady's leader may

wish.

Order. An unseemly habit

developing of members asking a

question and then proceeding to

grant from a sedentary position. I

had a letter about it today from a

member of the public was most

aggrieved. I'm sure the honourable

lady wouldn't wish to disappoint the

person concerned and will recover

her usual composure. Rob Stewart, a

well-behaved fellows.

LAUGHTER

Mr

Speaker, I'm not normally! But thank

you. Could I ask my right honourable

friend bearing in mind our alliance

relationships, how long does he

think that RAF pilots will have to

continue to fly above Iraq is

apparently Daesh is almost defeated?

I think my honourable friend raises

an important point. While we have

made such amazing progress with 600

operations blamed by the RAF over

Iraq and Syria, we shouldn't think

that Daesh are defeated. What they

will do is disperse. The threat this

country faces means we will continue

to have to fly operations above Iraq

and Syria for a considerable time

more.

Our amphibious capabilities

are part of our defence partner, is

the future of the HMS secure?

There

has been a lot of speculation in the

press about our capabilities. As

part of a capability review,

obviously we are asked to look at

everything we do. I'm not going to

start with speculation as to what

will happen going forward. I want to

look at the evidence the details and

we aren't going to be rushed any

decisions. The MoD continuously

monitors developments and challenges

arising from emerging weapon

technology increasing increasingly

automated weapons systems. The UK

considers the UN Convention on

certain conventional weapons to be

the right forum to discuss

autonomous weapons systems and

welcomes the progress made in Geneva

by a group of government experts

earlier this month.

I thank the

Minister for the reply. Weapons that

can kill without human instruction

or accountability and not science

fiction but a worrying potential

reality with huge moral

consequences. If we were to secure

international agreement on the

control of these weapons, we need to

start from a common understanding of

the challenge. Will the Minister

re-evaluate the UK's definition of

autonomous weapons to bring it into

line with that of the UN?

Actually I

think there is no international

agreement on what autonomous weapons

system is. That is precisely the

point. Michaels for pre-emptive

bands at this point would be

inappropriate. I think the task in

hand is to get an internationally

defined definition which is why we

believe the UN is the right forum to

do this -- my calls for pre-emptive

bans. .

Therefore we will always

need an army of about the current

size or larger.

We will definitely

always need an army.

Question number

ten.

We have threats intensifying

around the world. It is vital our

Armed Forces have the right

capabilities going forward in order

to defend global security. We are

making good progress. Evidence has

been reviewed and analysis

conducted, and options developed. I

very much look forward to working

with my honourable friend, listening

to his thoughts and comments on how

best to take this forward.

We

welcome the Secretary of State to

his new job. His background ideally

suited to fighting the corner in the

review is coming along. Would he

please speak to the Prime Minister,

remind her that her primary duty is

the defence of the realm. Will he

speak to the national security

adviser and Secretary of State of

the Cabinet office to remind them

they mustn't use this review as a

camouflage to cut off our armed

services? Will his big to be

Transport Secretary to make sure he

produces the money we need. And

above all will he speak to his right

honourable friend the Chief Whip to

remind him if he doesn't do so he'll

face a substantial billing.

I can

assure him I will speak to every

single one of those people that he

has outlined. As he rightly points

out, the defence of our nation is

the first and primary responsibility

of every government. That is one I

take exceptionally seriously. When

you see our Armed Forces and

everything they do, the commitment

in which they give themselves to it,

you cannot be anything other than

bored. I will do everything I can to

deliver for them -- you cannot be

anything other than awed..

And

welcome confirmation that the

frigates will be based in Devonport

but it is abundantly clear there is

a cross-party majority of this has

opposed to government plans to scrap

HMS Albion, HMS bulwark and Royal

Marines. Will he abandon its plans

and confirm we will protect our

amphibious capabilities?

I would

like to pay tribute to my right

honourable friend the Member for

Plymouth who has continuously

lobbied me on the issue of the type

23 frigate and the importance it has

two the Plymouth and Devonport

dockyard. It was impressive to be

able to go down there and visit the

dockyard and see the work that's

being done. I'll be looking at all

the capability within all our forces

to make sure that we get the very

best out of everything we do and

every pound but we spend.

Eyed to

welcome the Secretary of State to

his new role. I wish him all the

best for the future in whatever

challenges may now await him. Can I

reiterate the point made by my

honourable friend and echoed by him,

that the defence of the realm is the

first duty of government above all

others, and would he agree with me

that our history as a nation teaches

us that lesson again and again?

My

right honourable friend always

speaks with a high degree of common

sense and truth. I would like to pay

tribute to the work that he has done

for the Ministry of Defence in the

past. I agree with his assessment of

it, because that is ultimately what

everyone will judge by government

does in terms of how it defends the

nation.

Maintaining capabilities is

as important as creating them. How

much will it cost to upgrade the

nation 's docking facility now it is

necessary to refuel all of them

alongside doing deep maintenance to

the astute class? Who will pay for

that?

We are working with our

industrial partners on that and

looking at it closely as to what the

costs will be. I'm not able to

reveal those costs to the House at

the moment but it is a body of work

we are continuing to work on.

Mr

Speaker, the £800 million defence

innovation fund provides great

opportunities for innovative

suppliers. For example I can

announce that the defence science

and technology laboratories working

with industry and academia have

developed a cutting edge new

chemical process to recover

fingerprints and make it harder for

terrorists and criminals to escape

justice.

The Minister identifies

great innovation within our

supplies. She also agree that an

example shown the advanced induction

motor technology, installed on the

Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and

manufactured by GE in my

constituency?

He's right to speak up

for the amazing work that is done in

his constituency, not only for the

carrier programme but also for the

type 26 frigates.

The government

talks about wanting to increase the

role of SME with procurement, can

she tell us what steps have been

taken to facilitate this?

There have

been a range of steps taken to

facilitate that. For example we have

a single website into what we are

procuring at the MoD. We shortened

the contract reeve acquire small

businesses to sign down to three

pages and we also have a system of

people within the organisation who

can help new businesses find their

way around the intricacies of the

MoD.

And thank you. Personnel deployed on

operations must have confidence that

their families at home are able to

access the support that they need.

Welfare support is provided to

families both before, during and

after deployment.

I thought it with

the intention to group this question

with a 13.

Mr Speaker, Magruder 's

question was number 13?

One in three

spouses did not even know where to

go for service provided welfare

support. -- support, whilst their

partner was deployed. It is vital

that service families know that help

is available and what steps is the

department taking to ensure that

this is the case?

I am sorry to hear

that he has an example of the system

not working as it showed. It is

important that if we are to have the

most professional army, air force or

navy in the world, that those who

are deployed have the understanding

that their loved ones are looked

after back home. I would be happy to

meet the honourable member to

discuss the issue.

Will you join me

in congratulating Newport County

football club for recently joining

the armed service Common. The only

adequate way that we can deal fairly

with those who are injured in body

or mind by their services is to

provide them with facilities and

benefits that will leave them in a

position that they don't have to

rely on charities?

Mr Speaker, he

makes reference to the Armed Forces

government. This is the biggest

single change that recognises that

no member of the Armed Forces or

veterans should be disadvantaged

because of their service. He is

right to to that. I would encourage

all members to visit their local

areas and ask what questions are

being done -- and ask what measures

are being taken to ensure that their

local authorities are living up to

these obligations.

The redevelopment

of sites is now accused outside

Brize Norton. What recommendation --

what reassurances can you provide to

my arms forces constituents.

The

accommodation model is about some

people wanted to live inside or

outside barracks. Can I pay to read

to the federations who help families

when Armed Forces are operations.

The UK has been involved in in the

central moderation -- Mediterranean

since 2015. Royal Navy vessels have

saved 12,500 lives and 500 smuggling

vessels have been destroyed.

Was it

is welcome that operations of fear

has saved so many lives, it is

failing to disrupt human trafficking

in the way that was intended. Will

the Minister talk to our European

partners to ensure it can be

recalibrated to achieve that goal?

We routinely assess our operations

against the remit. It forms is one

part of a wider government strategy.

Topical question number one.

I would

like to start off by paying tribute

to my predecessor the honourable

member 47 Oaks who has done so much

for our armed services and has been

one of our longest serving Secretary

of States for defence. It is an

honour to the Defence Secretary and

I am proud to represent some of the

finest Armed Forces in the world. I

would also like to say thank you for

the UK contribution to rescue

operations in the Argentinian

submarine. The UK contribution to

search includes HMS protector, HMS

Clyde, DC- 130 and the Royal Navy

parachute assistance group. I would

also like to thank the service

personnel who did so much to raise

money for the Poppy Day appeal. This

has been valued by so many and has

raised tens of millions of pounds

that will make such a difference to

so many lives. And I must also thank

the Chancellor of the Exchequer for

his kindness and generosity in terms

of the allocation of Libor finds. I

hope this will continue.

My

honourable friend I'm sure will join

me in paying tribute to the 150

British troops who have been sent

north-east Poland on rotational

deployment. What steps is he going

to take to ensure that we increase

those numbers and continue our

support for our Polish allies in a

post-Brexit world through our Nato

alliance?

I have already had a great

opportunity to meet my Polish

opposite number and he is grateful

for the commitments we have made for

the defence of Poland. We constantly

review Cink review troop numbers but

we are open to the idea of

committing more. We must not

underestimate the threat that Russia

continues to pose and we have to be

ready to step up to such a threat.

And while we are leaving the

European Union, our commitment to

the collective defence of Europe is

not diminished.

Mr Speaker, it is

alarming that one of the scant

references in the budget is about

forces' families in the private

rented sector. The future

accommodation model threatens to

fragment our forces' communities.

Characterised by high rents and

unbearable landlords' performances,

what guarantees it can Minister give

that under the future accommodation

model no service personnel will be

forced out of service accommodation

and into the private rented sector?

We need to ensure that we provide a

model that retains and attract

personnel. But will face competition

in the private sector and the job

sector. That is why we have an Armed

Forces people programme which is

looking not just add accommodation

but across the board at what the

offering is. It is important to roll

out the new model. There will be a

pilot scheme and will allow people

to stay on the rented sector or own

their own property.

Prince Harry has

done tireless work to improve mental

health for Armed Forces and can the

Minister update us on what is being

done on that and like others, I

congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan

Markle.

Can I join the Secretary of

State in congratulating Prince Harry

and Meghan Markle. I had the

privilege of working with Prince

Harry in Toronto and the project

Invictus gains is his. It continues

next year in Sydney. It helps people

in the given up a new life and a new

chapter in sport. It is to commend

Prince Harry and the Royal family in

their work in supporting our Armed

Forces.

The secretary of state may

be aware that in 2009, the terms of

business agreement between the MoD

and BAE Systems ensure there was a

commitment to invest in shipbuilding

infrastructure and make sure it is

in the top quarter of shipbuilding

structures worldwide. That

commitment is no longer there. Can

the Minister confirm that the

commitment is still there?

Of course

I can confirm that we have a

commitment to a world-class

shipbuilding industry. Indeed, it is

a pipeline of work that goes out to

decade in terms of the shipbuilding

industry in Scotland.

I congratulate

my right honourable friend on his

appointment. Can you confirm that he

is committed to the development of

the dreadnought style of submarines

and reaffirmed his commitment to

ensure that the way will retain our

independent nuclear deterrent? --

that we will retain.

My honourable

friend raises a valid will point

because if you look at the three

main parties, whether it is ours,

the Labour Party or the SNP, the

only party that can guarantee that

way will have an independent nuclear

deterrent is the Conservative Party,

so let no one forget that.

Mr

Speaker, Britain's defence industry

support hundreds of jobs across the

south Wales valleys. Will the

government support our armoured

fighting vehicle industry and allow

them to compete for a contract for

the boxer armoured vehicle?

It gives

me an opportunity to pay tribute to

the fantastic work that is being

done on the Ajax vehicles. We have

539 of those vehicles being worked

on over the largest contract for

military vehicles that has been

awarded in this country for 30

years. That involves a lot of work

for the workforce in south Wales.

I

was pleased to hear the secretary of

state's stead fast support for Nato.

Will he say what further steps we

will be taking to support our Nato

allies in Estonia in the face of

increasing Russian aggression?

My

honourable friend will be aware that

in the Warsaw Summit in 2015, Nato

committed to responding to Russian

belligerence through enhanced

defence and dialogue. I'm delighted

to have visited our Armand Batlle

group in Estonia this week. 800

personnel who are delivering that

presents together with the Royal Air

Force who have supported that on two

occasions -- on two occasions as

well.

Can the Minister confirm that

the auxiliary orders will come to

the Clyde and not be built abroad?

I

can confirm that exactly as outlined

in the recommendations of the

shipbuilding strategy and has been

stated at -- and as has been stated

in the House before, that part of

our programme will be open to

international competition, including

shipyards on the Clyde.

Does the

Secretary of State agree that as we

leave the EU we must remain

committed to our European allies?

And Kenny confirm what we are doing

to support our allies in Romania?

Act-macro and can he confirm.

Having

met my opposite number in Romania,

one of the threats that we continue

to see is Russia putting pressure on

them. Britain has a proud tradition

of putting troops and resources into

Rumania and we are continuing to do

that with typhoons operating above

Romanian skies. Our commitment to

that and the standing Naval task

group with Nato is an important

bulwark against increasing Russian

aggression on the eastern flank.

This coming Thursday marks the 36th

anniversary of the disappearance of

a young toddler from a complex in

West Germany. Will the Minister

review the case?

I would be more

than happy to review the case and

meet with you to discuss this in

greater detail.

Last year, it was

announced that Royal Marines based

in my constituents that a Royal

Marines base in my constituency

would be closing. The previous

secretary of state abilities and

announced a review of that decision.

Can the Minister update me on that

review and indicate when a decision

might be made?

There is an Engineer

Regiment based there and I know

there's a historic importance. As

part of the rationalisation

programme, it is due for closure in

2027, but I'm happy to sit down and

discuss the situation.

The Minister

has already spoken about the

important trade role that the Red

Arrows play as ambassadors for

British aeronautical engineering.

The secretary of state knows

Yorkshire well and knows how

important the skilled jobs are and

look again at the requests from MPs

are to renew the fleet for the Red

Arrows?

I am glad she pays tribute

once again to that amazing trade

promotion role. She will know as

well as anyone that the current Red

Arrows are in service until 2030 and

therefore a decision to replace them

will not need to take place until

after the end of this Parliament.

Well my right honourable friend

provide an update on the work being

done by British servicemen and women

to train local forces in

Afghanistan?

I thank my honourable

friend for that. What we have seen

is an announcement of an uplift of

85 personnel who will be going to

Afghanistan to support the work of

the Afghan army. We are also going

to be supplementing that with an

additional 60 service personnel in

order to continue the training and

support that the Afghan army needs.

While in Afghanistan we have seen

substantial progress made, we cannot

take this for granted and must

continue to support the Afghan

government as it continues to root

out extremism.

Despite the dangerously depleted

state of the service, the Royal Navy

has for the first time ever been

chosen to mount Queen 's guard, and

very smart and port they looked too

in my opinion. But the Secretary of

State take this opportunity to pay

tribute to the Royal Navy, in fact

tribute to the senior service?

It

would be a great honour to pay

tribute to the senior service,

having been on HMS Queen Elizabeth,

HMS whence Minster and HMS

Sutherland and seen the work that

they do, you cannot help but feel

proud. I'm very tempted to give you

an honorary captaincy of a ship. I

think I'd handed out to already. To

be honest Mr Speaker I thought of

you more as an Admiral banning

captain. If that gets me out of a

slightly difficult situation I will

make an Admiral of a fleet.

I now

realise something, that charm is the

middle name of the honourable

gentleman.

My home constituency has been home

to the elite commander of units and

for the last 46 years they'd been

the linchpin of the local community.

The base is one of Angus's major

employers. Will the Minister confirm

that I note plans to close it and

that the place in Angus is secure?

Does he agree with me that the

reckless behaviour of politicians to

scaremonger on this matter?

As I

touched on earlier there is a large

area of Britain that is owned by the

MoD. It is important we rationalise

this real estate. It means looking

at a number of locations, 91 of them

across the country have been

earmarked. I think it's just the

airfield that needs to be looked at.

Happy to discuss it with my

honourable friend.

The Secretary of State is fresh, new

and busy but can I begged him to

read John Fitzgerald Kennedy's

little book on white England slept.

Does he not think that England has

been sleeping while the world has

begun a much more dangerous place --

the world has become a much more

dangerous place?

I think there has

been a tendency since the early

1990s that the world is a much safer

place than it actually is. There has

been a tendency to sometimes sit

back and believe that everything is

just going to be safer and safer.

The world is rapidly changing and

it's not just threats from

counterterrorism. Its threats from

peer enemies as well. We need to

understand what those threats are

and make sure we are equipped to

deal with them. I am looking forward

to a Christmas break and I will make

sure that if I get a few minutes or

if you I was spared, I'll be sure to

read it.

At the risk of being given

an honorary captaincy, can I

congratulate my right honourable

friend on his job, I'm sure he will

do it extremely well. With his

ongoing discussions with the

Treasury, will he be aware of two

things. First of all there are those

of us who believe the defence Budget

has been pared back about as far as

it can be. Secondly when it comes to

discussing Trident renewal, there

are many of us who do not believe

that it should be part of the

defence Budget. In fact that it

distorts the defence Budget. And if

that is part of his argument he will

have more support than he knows.

All

of what he has raised is going to be

part of the review. He raises an

important point in terms of nuclear

capability being part of a defence

Budget. This has traditionally not

been something that is part of a

defence Budget and was only changed

post-20 ten. I think what's vital is

we look at all options as part of a

national security and capability

review. I'll be looking forward to

speaking with my right honourable

friend to seek his advice and

thoughts on the issues that are

raised.

For the Secretary of State

began today by outlining the three

places he visited in his early days

of his appointment. Congratulations

on the appointment. But what

reassurances can he give to workers

at Rosyth to ensure that contracts

are secure in future following the

departure of the Queen Elizabeth

class carriers?

Having already had

the pleasure of visiting Scotland

I'll certainly be visiting Rosyth in

the future. I'm incredibly grateful

for the amazing work being done in

terms of construction of HMS Queen

Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

We look forward to working with all

our industrial partners to make sure

we have a robust industrial Defence

Secretary and I hope we have the

support of his party on that for the

defence of the whole of the UK.

The

Secretary of State will have heard

on both sides of the House today

some foretaste of the few raw that

would like follow if HMS Albion and

HMS Bulwark were to be deleted from

the infantry -- foretaste of the

furore. Can I humbly suggest that

given the relatively small saving

but would represent, it isn't worth

it?

Thank you. I certainly listen,

as a former Chief Whip, someone once

said to me there's no such thing as

a former Chief Whip and I