Live Defence Questions House of Commons

My constituents

. I

Welcome to live coverage of the

comment. Questions being asked of

the chair of the defence committee

Julian Lewis about the national

security capability review studying

Armed Forces spending.

The new

cabinet minister David Livingstone

makes a statement that the

liquidation of the construction for

Carillion. There is the first debate

on the space industry bill. Setting

out requirements for commercial

space flight activity in the UK.

They beget a joint me for a round-up

of the day from both houses tonight.

First questions to the Defence

Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and his

team.

Questions of the Secretary of

State for defences with permission

Mr Speaker, I should like to answer

questions and one and five together.

The Ministry of Defence published

the Armed Forces Covenant annual

report in December 20 17. Outlining

progress made to strengthen the

covenant. Notable achievements

include the establishment of a new

ministerial covenant and veterans

board which had its first meeting in

October 20 17. The next ministerial

covenant and veterans board meeting

is due in the spring.

I thank the

Secretary of State for that reply.

Before Christmas I visited the

community awareness project in

Wakefield. Many of the clients are

former armed services personnel.

Veterans assistance UK estimate

there are 13,000 homeless veterans.

Guaranteed priority access to social

housing under the Armed Forces

Covenant. Impossible to know that

unless they are counted in the

censors. Will he commit here to date

to count Armed Forces and veterans

on the census as recommended by the

office for National statistics?

I

thank the right lady for

highlighting that. I can assure her

yes, we will do.

Will my right

honourable friend tell the

department what is department is

doing to support charities like the

British Legion and Help For Heroes.

Specifically in helping veterans

tackle isolation and loneliness.

I

think the point that my honourable

friend raises is very valuable. What

we have to be doing is reaching out

to so many veterans who have given

so much to our country over so many

years. Whether it is Help For Heroes

or the Leon C Royal British Legion,

absolutely pivotal to that. We have

recently seen the investment of two

million pounds into creating the

veterans gateway. Making sure

veterans are signposted to the

charities, support organisations and

government organisations that can

best support them. If they are

suffering from loneliness or need

additional help. Can I also take the

opportunity to thank the Royal

British Legion, whether it be in

your constituency or right across

the country which do so much for our

veterans Day in and day out.

The

Armed Forces Covenant is currently

more of a statement of intent then a

statement of action. It does not

guarantee the support serving

personnel and veterans required.

With the Secretary of State agree

putting in an Armed Forces or a by

body on a statutory footing would be

a bold commitment to ensuring proper

representation for personnel and

veterans?

What we have done, we have

created the veterans board,

co-chaired by previously the right

honourable member for Ashford. Taken

over my myself and the Right

Honourable member for Aylesbury. We

have been trying to achieve feedback

on creation of the sport. It is not

just about the Ministry of Defence.

Also about every government

department. About every local

authority in the country. Also about

businesses. Businesses helping and

supporting our veterans and our

service personnel.

Housing regularly

tops the list of concerns expressed

by the Armed Forces families

Federation as my right honourable

friend would know. Since 2014

Carrillion has been responsible for

50,000 of those service times. They

are taking calls from concerned

families every day. What will he do,

given that Carrillion is about to

collapse, those calls will be

responded to appropriately. And

service housing is dealt with in the

longer term.

I thank my right

honourable friend. There were some

problems. My right honourable

friend, the minister, and a member

for Bournemouth East has been doing

an awful lot, in terms of working

with Carrillion to tackle the

issues. We will put all efforts to

make sure the accommodation of our

service personnel is to be very high

standards with the partners we work

with.

Thank you very much indeed Mr

Speaker. A very important part of

the covenant is indeed housing for

Armed Forces families. Whilst

recognising that Carrillion is a

separate entity from a given

existing concerns about capacity and

performance, what contingency plans

that the Minister have, if there are

knock-on effects for Armed Forces

housing in light of today's's

worrying news?

Can I assure the

House we have been monitoring this

closely, working with industrial

partners? There will be a Cobra

meeting today to address the most

immediate issues. And the right

honourable member for Bournemouth

East will be walking with them to

make sure standards are driven up.

To make sure no one notices a fall

in service.

Number two, Speaker.

With permission Mr Speaker I should

like to answer questions two, 13 and

16 together. The SDSR brought

together our strategy for a thriving

defence sector. We have published

our shipbuilding strategy and

publish defence policy. Industry

have welcomed all of these. I was

delighted last month to sign the

biggest typhoon order in a decade

was worth £6 billion.

Our Nato

allies ought to be living up to

their commitments of two

-- two percent of GDP spending. Does

he agree with me if all members of

Nato lived up to their commitments,

they would be a boost to the British

defence manufacturing sector,

therefore high skilled British jobs?

My honourable friend makes a

valuable point. He is absolutely

right, if everybody lived up to the

commitments in terms of Nato

spending, and capital equipment,

Britain could be a major beneficiary

of this. This was a point I have

made repeatedly with Nato defence

ministers this it is making sure we

have a right products on offer so we

can sell it right around globe. This

is something we can be very proud of

in this country, as we continue to

make significant and important deals

across the globe.

We'll be Secretary

of State confirm that by 2020, 20%

of our defence budget is set to be

spent in the US? Not supporting UK

jobs, design, engineering and

manufacturing. We look at defence

spending policy, which excludes

social employment policies.

We're

very proud we continue to sell more

and more to the United States. It is

manufactured designed and built. We

will continue to do that. We have

some world leading companies

continuing to lead the way in this

field.

The defence industrial

refresh was extremely disappointing.

Particularly in the failure to

include a change to Javier MFT

calculates impact in cities like my

own Portsmouth. -- particularly the

way the MoD calculates. Could the

secretary of state explain why?

The

refresher has been broadly welcomed

by industry. I'm sure the refresh

will be followed by future

refreshes, happy to look at future

options going forward.

One where

supporting defence exports, is

making more of the relationship and

sharing platforms. A great way of

doing that would be to have three of

the firepower is operating on the

same platforms and the same

frigates. Can the Defence Secretary

's sake every effort will be made at

the top of government to support the

export of typing 26.

My honourable

friend makes a good point in terms

of maintaining the five i

relationship. I have made this a

most radiant counterpart. This is

not just British products, Canadian,

Australian. I have encourage them to

purchase this platform going

forward.

In any defence contract.

What conditions does government put

in to sure the use of British

Labour, new apprenticeships and

British components?

The MoD has

created 20,000 apprenticeships

scheme is over the last few years.

Everything we do in terms of

negotiation with firms, UK-based

firms or international firms is

trying to bring as much work content

flirting.

The smaller UK companies

in this field, they have a very

valuable role to play in

procurement?

What we need to be

doing more, working at how we can

bring small and medium-sized

businesses into the supply chain of

the Ministry of Defence. Sterling

work has already been done, over the

past few years. How can we double

down on this, make sure more small

and mid-size businesses benefit from

MoD contracts?

At the Defence

Secretary will know, the government

signed a letter of intent with the

Qatar government for six new Hawker

aircraft. Members at the plant say

even if the deal goes through

they'll have to be headcount in the

production line. What does the

government estate to workers about

their jobs?

Later on this afternoon

I will be meeting with the Qatar

Defence Minister in order to try and

push the issue of making sure we

deliver on the statement of intent,

in terms of the purchase of the six

Hawk aircraft. I met the Emir of

Kuwait, as one of the Prime Minister

and Defence Secretary, to push the

12th Hawk aircraft we are

desperately hoping the Kuwaitis will

look at purchasing. This will make

an important impact on the

honourable lady's constituency, and

so many others.

Mr Speaker, I would like to

congratulate the Minister for

Defence Procurement on his new job.

I'm sure that he will do his best to

ensure fairness in defence

procurement. I would very much hope

that the Defence Secretary will

dispel the rumours regarding the £3

billion contract for the new

mechanised infantry vehicle. Will

the Defence Secretary take this

opportunity to give a commitment

that there will not be a cosy Geale

Dominic Dale with the Germans but a

fair and open competition for the

prime contract?

So, what we have

been doing is working to get a

clearer idea of what the Army needs

going forward -- cosy deal with the

Germans. My honourable friend is new

into the job and will be looking at

the options as to how we take this

forward and making sure that we get

the best deal, the best value and

make sure we get the right equipment

for the British Army, and he will be

looking at the details as he gets

his feet under the desk.

Question number three, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, the MOD increasingly

strives to become a more diverse and

inclusive organisation. The defence,

diversity and inclusion strategy is

currently being reviewed and to

continue to ensure it has the

desired impact on the organisation,

I look forward to publishing the

paper later this year.

Doctor

Roberta Blackman-Woods.

Having a

more diverse Armed Forces clearly

adds to their effectiveness, but

unfortunately the latest figures

show that the number of BAE regular

personnel has only risen 0.5% since

2015, so what specific initiatives

does the MOD have to improve on

this?

The Honourable Lady will be aware of

the latest advertising campaign

going through and she is absolutely

right. -- BAME. If we are to reflect

society we must recruit across

society from BAME and women as well

and we have a 10% target for BAME

and 50% for women by 2020 Adah hoped

to achieve that.

I strongly support

the minister's decision to encourage

more Tupe people and women to join

the Armed Forces. What has led to

the conclusion that the new

advertising campaign to which he

alluded, which is rather less

robust, will be more successful in

doing that rather than be good

old-fashioned "Be the best"?

He will

be aware that the be the best

campaign continues and he will also

be aware that we must recruit from a

more diverse footprint and that

means that we have two dispel some

of the messages that are out there

and that's exactly what this new

campaign is seeking to do.

Douglas

Chapman.

Could the Minister give

workers in my constituency on the

future work programme around the

dockyard following the carrier

contracts, just wondered if you

would be able to meet with me in the

constituency to discuss with unions

and management about the future work

programme.

I struggle to identify

the relationship between the

question posed and that of which the

House was treating. But I will

charitably attribute this to my

inability fully to hear the

honourable gentleman. If the

Minister wishes to alert out an

extremely brief reply I think we

should indulge the fellow.

I hope I

never blurt out anything in this

chamber, Mr Speaker, but I will say

with courtesy to the honourable

member that if you would like to

meet my honourable friend the new

perfume administer, they could come

to some arrangement.

That sounds

very encouraging. On the matter of

equality and diversity, Let's hear

from the Lincolnshire night.

Of

course the Armed Forces should be

welcoming to all and open to all,

irrespective of their gender, race,

or sexuality, but is it not better

to state this in general terms,

after all we are all part of a

minority, as you have alluded to, Mr

Speaker. I'm part of many minorities

in my views and the Armed Forces

should be representative and

represent the whole nation.

They

should do, Mr Speaker, and that is

why even in the time frame of this

government we have seen the number

of women, for example, in one star

postings or above increase from

10-20 and it's also one that we have

opened up every single role in the

Armed Forces to women as well.

Royston Smith.

The government's policy on the use

of remotely piloted air systems

target Daesh fighters in Syria and

Iraq is no different to targeting

conducted by manned aircraft. All UK

targeting is conducted in accordance

with UK and international law.

Royston Smith.

Thank you, Mr

Speaker, other drones piloted in the

same way as fixed wing strike

aircraft but the pilots do not have

the same service life as pilots on

front line squadrons. Some drone

pilots find it difficult to switch

between being on live operations and

being at home with their family.

With the Secretary of State confirm

what support we give to drone pilots

and does it recognise the peculiar

circumstances of their role?

We do

recognise the fact that this is a

new form of warfare and we have been

working very closely with those

engaged in it, making sure that they

have the support and the support is

put in place before they go on

operations during and after. We are

also working very closely with the

United States they're forced to make

sure that we learn the lessons that

they have learned over the past few

years so that our personal stomach

service personnel benefit. -- our

personnel benefit.

The one thing

over anything is that legitimises

the use of force is the rule of law,

so could I ask the Secretary of

State to further what he said a

moment ago, UK operations will

always comply with the rules of

armed conflict and Geneva

Convention?

Yes, they do.

Question number six, Mr Speaker.

Mr

Speaker, the MOD is carefully

considering the recommendations of

the Armed Forces competition scheme

review. It as was been the intention

to publish a response a year after

publication of this review, which

came out in every 2017.

I thank him

for his response. I wonder if as

part of the Government's response to

the concentration that he will

consider the fact that since the

establishment of the compensation

scheme 11 years ago, only 56% of

claims have been given awards, 96%

of those are in the lowest four

levels of support, 60% of those

low-level awards which are appealed

receiving increasing the award, and

that Tumi demonstrates a significant

percentage, which demonstrates flaws

in the original decision-making

process. I wondered if the Minister

would commit to urgently approving

those first stage decision-making to

ensure veterans are given the

support they deserve.

I'm happy to

look at those concerns the lady

raises. The review took place in

2016 and overall we were found to be

on track and fit purpose. We are

making changes that will be

announced later in the year.

Thank

you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, on

these benches we strongly welcome

reforms to the compensation scheme

to make it fairer and easier to

access but we are concerned at

government proposals to prevent

Armed Forces personnel and their

families from seeking legal redress

where there are failings that need

to be highlighted. Not only would

this remove an important legal right

for injured service members, but it

could also prevent the Ministry of

Defence from learning lessons from

past decisions. So, will the

Minister agree to think again and

preserve the right of redress for

personnel and their families?

As I

alluded to in the previous answer,

nothing has been made and I will

present a conclusion to the results

in due course and I will bear in

mind what he said.

Question number

seven, please, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mark

Lancaster.

This government is

committed to increasing our maritime

hydro project our influence across

the world and promote national

prosperity. -- maritime power. We

will spend £63 billion on new ships

and submarines over the next decade

and we are committed to increasing

the number of personnel in the Royal

Navy.

As the Minister will note the

strongest arm of the Royal Navy is

the Royal Marines. Can the Minister

update the House on the work on

going to transform the Royal

Marines' home base in South Devon

into a world leading facility and

how this will enhance our national

amphibious capability plans to

ensure we continue to be done at the

full our national and native

priorities?

In my previous role I

was responsible for the better

defence and State strategy and I can

confirm it remains the intent to

dispose of the Royal Citadel in

Stonehouse in 2024 and 2027 and to

read provide for the Royal Marines

units in either Plymouth for

Torpoint. At this point I can't

confirm exactly what form that will

take as further work is required but

I will update the House in due

course.

Luke Pollard.

The lack of

clarity, leeks and confusion around

the national security review is

hitting morale and morale affects

capability in the Royal Navy. With

uncertainty over Plymouth's HMS

Albion and bulwark and the proposal

to merge the Royal Marines with the

Parachute Regiment, will the

Minister clear up confusion and

without the Navy cuts and merger?

Well, I'm sorry to have to

disappoint the honourable member,

but I can only repeat what has been

said, that this government takes the

security of our nation incredibly

seriously and I think it's far more

important that this review is robust

and comprehensive and detailed,

rather than rushed to make

announcements, simply to appease the

honourable gentleman.

. Julian

Lewis.

Maybe take a moment to

acknowledge the courageous service

of Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly, whose

death has just been announced. The

only person to be awarded a

Gallantry Medal by both sides in the

Falklands War, Edward the Minister

please take back to those conducting

the review the united opinion on

both sides of this House that any

loss of frigates and amphibious

vessels before they are due out of

service date would be totally

unacceptable?

I'm grateful to my

Right Honourable friend for

highlighting the passing, the very

sad passing of Commander Rick Jolly,

he was indeed an absolute legend and

the service you provided in the

Falklands is just worth reading. It

is unique to have been rewarded for

his gallantry by both the United

Kingdom and indeed the Argentinian

forces. And I note his other point.

SPEAKER:

Yes, Chris Bryant.

Thank

you. Such a long pause. Doesn't the

passage of the Russian frigate

through the English channel just

before Christmas proved the Russians

are intent constantly on observing

our capability on the high seas?

Isn't it absolutely vital that we

maintain that as high as possible?

Absolutely. The Russian activity in

the North Atlantic is as high as it

has been since the end of the Cold

War, which is why we constantly

assess that and respond

appropriately. HMS Echo Auburn is

accompanied that Russian vessel

during its passage through the

Channel.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I

reiterate what both sides of the

House have said so far and add my

concerns to the future of the Royal

Marines and Royal Navy. To my view

any cutting of the Royal Marines, or

any further part of our amphibious

fleet, one already having gone to

the Brazilians, is absolutely out of

order and totally unacceptable.

My

honourable friend is a champion for

the Armed Forces, and of course I

note his own service. I can simply

repeat what has been said, that I

absolutely recognise the

contribution that both the Royal

Marines and Royal Navy have made. I

was deeply honoured to be able to

award green beret, to our Royal

Marines in 2016 having accompanied

them for a short run across the

moors. I'm only too well aware of

what they are capable of and I note

his concerns.

Jonathan Edwards.

What

assessments have been undertaken in

naval capability to the inevitable

response of the arms race of weapons

of mass destruction which would

follow the nuclear review in the US?

I didn't catch the question, so if I

may I will review and right to the

honourable gentleman. SPEAKER:

Yes.

It was tangential to the strength of

the Royal Navy I think it would be

fair to say.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, we have

heard ad nauseam from the government

that the Royal Navy is growing. When

this is demonstrably untrue. There

continues to be a sharp divide

between rhetoric and reality. It's

utterly unacceptable, Mr Speaker,

that this House should hear about

the significant potential cuts from

the newspapers, as we did yet again

this weekend. Can the Defence

Secretary refute the accuracy of

these reports, and can he confirm

that we're not going to see a repeat

of the 2010 scale of to our Armed

Forces?

Welcome I must say it's

deeply disappointing that the

Honourable Lady comes to the

dispatch box once again almost

trying to sort of talk down our

Royal Navy. In the opening comments.

We are absolutely committed to some

£63 billion worth of investment in

our Royal Navy. Only shortly before

Christmas we saw the Queen Elizabeth

arriving in Portsmouth after £120

million worth of investment in

Portsmouth. We have laid the first

contracts for the first three type

26 and looking at type 31. Nine new

P8 aircraft. The investment in our

Royal Navy is significant. So for

her to come to this dispatch box and

try and talk it down is deeply,

deeply disappointing.

Once again, we don't seem to have

very clear answers on that front. We

also know that a lack of personnel

is a driving factor for decisions in

the Royal Navy. Capita failing on

recruitment targets. Failing to

deliver savings, and bundling IT

systems. What steps will the

Minister be taking to do with that

situation?

We seem to be switching

from the Navy to the Army. If it is

in order, that is fine. There is

continuing work when it comes in

recruitment in the Army. At this

point last year the application is

up about 20%. There have been some

minor glitches in the computer

system, ironed out. I am confident

we will see recruitment in the Army

increasing. With your leave may I

answer this question with question

ten? Could I add a team if you are

generous? The House is indebted. The

MoD is committed to flexibility and

choice. The future accommodation

model is the programme which is

advancing in a new way to offer

choice to our Armed Forces,

alternatively rent or buy a house.

The families Federation having clear

in their concerns about the

accommodation model. A distinct lack

of communication from the

Department, and the Armed Forces

families. When will this government

bring forward some concrete

proposals so that forces families

have some clarity around the future.

Mr Speaker, I firstly agreed it is

very important we work closely with

the family federations to make sure

we look after their interest. I

would say we have explained to them

the proposals in place. I meet with

them on a regular basis. My right

honourable friend the Secretary of

State has met with the recently to

explain the role of this pilot

scheme which will begin at the end

of the year.

It has been suggested

this model will say £500 million.

Also it will not reduce the total

pot of money used to subsidise

housing. Given we have been told no

decisions have been made. Isn't it

true the fiver to begin pounds

figure has been plucked from the

air, we really don't know the

financial implications of this.

Mr

Speaker, let's turn this around.

This is not about saving money

committees offering choice to those

we want to keep and retain in our

Armed Forces. One of the reasons

families choose to leave, or

individuals do not because there is

no choice. They are looking over

their shoulders seeing people in

civilian streets being able to

invest in a house, to buy and rent.

That is what we want to offer those

of the Armed Forces.

The Army

Families Federation added that its

service accommodation was replaced

with a rental model, only 22% of the

people surveyed would definitely

remain in the Army. Does the

Minister not agree that the future

accommodation model risks a

devastating impact on an already

shaky retention?

I don't quite

recognise those figures. What we

have done in working with the

Federation is work out what the

Armed Forces one. They want choice,

particularly youngsters coming in.

Some will want to continue living on

the garrison, others will want to

get on a housing ladder, and we need

to help them, that is what we need

to do for the Armed Forces.

In terms

of the future of accommodation, the

most pressing worry of service

personnel tonight will be that the

parent company of the company that

provides the maintenance of their

quarters has just gone bust. Given

the very great importance of their

service to service personnel,

particularly in the middle of

winter, can I press the Minister

further, and ask what plan B does

the defence infrastructure

organisation come up with to make

sure maintenance will continue for

service personnel through the

winter?

My right honourable friend

is right to important question.

There will be questions about the

future of Carrillion. There is a

statement to follow, I understand.

From the defence perspective. The

plan B was inheriting all the

contract. These are joint ventures,

if one of the company 's steps back,

the obligation is for the other

company to move forward and fill the

space. We have been working on this

for some time, prepared for this

moment.

I am fortunate to have

visited several airbases as part of

the Armed Forces Parliamentary

scheme. A concern expressed by many

air of men and women is the state of

face accommodation across the

country. How can we Federation

-- address this concern?

I pay

tribute to the committee, I hope

there is not a single person who has

not done the course or signed up to

it. Gives you a fantastic insight as

to what our brave Armed Forces

personnel are doing. In relation to

the future accommodation model, it

is important people are not

disenfranchised because of funding.

We need to make sure no matter where

you may read, it will be about the

same up and down the country, that

is the plan.

Can I work on behalf of

the Scottish National Party, the

Minister to this place. The state

secretary said in answer to an

earlier question, in relation to

Carrillion, military families should

not see a difference in the service

they receive. Isn't it a case they

should be seeing a difference? With

1500 calls per day as mentioned by

the right honourable member earlier,

doesn't that not tell us something

is wrong with the contract.

I will

extend their welcome to my right

honourable friend, the new

procurement Minister, he's very

welcome. We need to understand what

those calls are rough. If someone is

failing to have a light bulb

replaced, does that mean they're

with the service, or they need a new

light bulb? We need to be honest

about what those calls are. When

somebody is prevented from having,

let's say a new light bulb as I

mentioned, that they are compensated

because of the inconvenience caused.

Mr Speaker, we know it is not about

light bulbs, it is about hot water

and boilers, waiting to get them

fixed. Is it any wonder that fewer

than half the service families are

happy with the colour accommodation

model. When does he plan to get a

grip of this, ending the dreadful

service that the likes of companies

like Carrillion are giving families?

The honourable member is right, I

should not be flippant about

something so important. There are an

awful lot of calls that cunning

which are consistent with everyday

management. Yes there are days when

the boiler has gone, we need to make

sure the individual family are

compensated. We call the company and

a couple of years ago. To say

standards were slipping and they

needed to be improved. Satisfaction

surveys coming back since then, they

say there is a dramatic increase. We

need to keep working on this.

Thank

you Mr Speaker. We know the

Conservatives have a poor record

when it comes to making decisions on

Armed Forces housing. The 1996

sell-off being the prime example

bust that the MoD plans to sell a

number of sites as part of the

change to the defence estate.

Unclear what will happen to the

housing stock on those sites. For

the Minister tell the House what

plans are in place for housing when

these sites are sold.

Sitting back

from defence questions, he will be

aware there is a need for more

housing in this country. It is very

important that the Department of

defence, that owns two percent of UK

land, does its job in freeing up

land we no longer lease, to make way

for new housing. We started off with

an announcement of 91 sites already

made.

Thank you Mr Speaker. Can I

also thank members on both sides of

the House for their warm welcome?

Can take an opportunity to pay

tribute to my premature

-- predecessor for the work she did?

The government is clear it is

seeking it deepens and special

partnership with the EU including on

security matters. Important that you

gain European industry can work

together to deliver capabilities we

need to keep us safe. We look

forward to discussing future

cooperation in the negotiations.

The

Minister does not make clear whether

we will be part of the European

defence fund, whether that is our

ambition. Negotiations on the next

stage of the European industrial

development programme are taking

place. What assessment has been made

of the impact this will have on jobs

in our aerospace, defence and

security industries if we do leave?

The impact would be significant,

everybody would expect that. The

intention and the government is to

make sure moving forward, despite

leaving the European Union, the

relationship we have with European

partners in terms of security and

defence is enhanced and

strengthened.

Surely the Minister

knows of the deep concern amongst

our friends and allies across

Europe, not just the European

defence fund, but the fact this

country is running down defence

capacity, weakness in supporting

Nato is under threat from leaving

the European Union. People believe

we will soon be using our seat at

the Security Council. What does he

say to our friends in Europe?

The

honourable gentleman is making a

statement which I do not recognise.

This country is one of the largest

spenders on defence in the world.

This country still meet its

obligation in Nato. Our European

partners are well aware the United

Kingdom has a huge amount to offer

them go forward. The picture painted

by the honourable gentleman does not

reflect the reality.

I am sure the

whole House will join me in paying

tribute to the thousands who worked

in munitions factories in both world

wars. Producing vital equipment

which helped us to fight to victory.

For practical reasons it is not

possible to pursue individual

awards. The Department for business,

energy and industrial strategy would

be happy to work with colleagues

across the House to recognise the

collective record of munitions

workers.

My constituents wrote to me

about her auntie who worked in

emissions factory during the Second

World War. Can I urge my right

friend Jilly McGonagle friend to

work with the Department for

business and industrial strategy to

ensure munitions workers are

properly commemorated for the

bravery and a half of this country

for is I'm delighted to say we are

in negotiations with the Department

and will happily pursue the work.

Last year I had the privilege and

pleasure of meeting Afful Parker a

99-year-old former munitions worker,

she is incredibly proud of her

service. She will be 100 in May. I'm

sure she will forgive me for

mentioning her age. For her and many

others time may well be running out.

They would like to be at the opening

of a memorial, ideally not in

London, so they can visit. Can we

progress this is a matter of

urgency, as we have with other

memorials, so they can see the

testament to their work to deliver

victory in World War I and World War

II?

I can only once again pay

tribute to those members,

constituency paid such an important

part, well no longer in the First

World War, but certainly the Second

World War. I recognise the urgency.

A similar issue when it came to

honours from France. There are

similar mechanisms in place. I will

pursue this is a matter of urgency.

Shut may I group this question with

number 21 prison the answer is it

was not group.

I think we ought to

indulge you.

I think I may go out

and buy a lottery ticket first I was

getting confused.

I know defence is

his responsibility rather than

arithmetic. The grouping was between

14 and 21. Really rather difficult

to put this with 21. The honourable

gentleman should satisfy himself

with what will be a high-quality

answer to the honourable lady, the

member for Canterbury.

That is why

you are the Speaker, I am just the

Minister, Mr Speaker! Whilst much

attention into defence debates

focuses on those in uniform, we must

recognise the service of family

services to those who serve. I have

met with the War Widows Association

on several occasions, listening to

their case for the reinstatement of

war Widows pensions for those widows

who have remarried or cohabited

before the 1st of April 20 15. The

Secretary of State is already

appraised of the issue.

We are

considering a way forward.

The

honourable gentleman is a respected

minister. On a very serious note, on

the recognition I have the whole

House with me on this matter. As we

discovered not that long ago, the

honourable gentleman is a very brave

man.

As the Minister will know,

other tree and unjust transitions in

pension status can have dire

consequences for those who depend on

them. Particularly shameful when

those affected by the families of

those prepared to make the ultimate

sacrifice for our country. Members

of my own family have been affected

by this. Will the Minister directly

to discuss this issue?

Mr Speaker I

would be delighted to meet with the

honourable lady, particularly with

her own experience of this

particular matter. A very difficult

issue. We must recognise War Widows

pensions are not compensation for

the loss of a spouse, that paid to

assist with maintenance, but we must

pay tribute to any family that has

undertaken the burden of losing

somebody in uniform to the service

of this country.

Question number 14, Mr Speaker.

I

think somebody will now volunteer.

Nobody else is stepping forward so I

will jump in, Mr Speaker. With your

leave, question number 21. As the

House is where pay rates are

recommended by the Armed Forces

independent pay review body and the

senior salaries review body for the

most senior officers. The next set

of recommendations are expected in

the spring.

Does the Minister share

my concern that all three services

are running below strength? And that

the delay in the lifting of the

Armed Forces pay cap and the Armed

Forces recruitment will only

exacerbate the problem.

Mr Speaker,

I think the whole house, I hope,

would agree that pay is not the

reason people join the Armed Forces

but it is also not the reason why

people choose to leave the Armed

Forces but we don't want it to

become one. That's why I'm pleased

that the Armed Forces salary review

body has been liberated from the 1%

pay freeze which has existed for a

number of years.

Satisfaction was

found to be the lowest level of

pensions Amaq recorded with pay and

pensions with half of service

personnel stating their pay and

benefits are not fair for the hard

work they do. How bad do things have

to get before the government takes

this seriously?

Mr Speaker, I repeat

the important situation changes that

the pay freeze, the 1% pay freeze

has had, that has been lifted and

it's up to the pay review body to

make recommendations. There is a

complex process involved in Armed

Forces pay including progressive

pay, which is takes account of The X

Factor and a variety of allowances

that must be incorporated and

considered as well.

Question number

17, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, there

has been a comprehensive change in

how we deal with mental health

issues in the Armed Forces, as

outlined in the mental health and

well-being strategy, which I was

privileged to launch last year. We

have already seen the start of a

cultural change in removing the

stigma that for so long has been

associated to those wanting to raise

mental health concerns during their

service time.

Jo Swinson.

I thank

the Minister for the reply. A recent

report found 31% of Armed Forces

personnel and veterans with recent

mental health problems had accessed

and mental health specialist. Does

the Minister agree that the high

rates of medical discharge amongst

UK personnel might prevent people

seeking help out of fear it may in

their career but with the government

do to encourage people with mental

health problems to seek help?

The

Honourable Lady is absolutely right,

which is why we will have to

introduce a fundamental change in

our strategy. People were not coming

forward. If you have a knee injury

you declare it, show it, and get

back into the line. If you have

something wrong with your mind,

soldiers, sailors, air personnel

were reticent to come forward but

that's changing. We're changing the

stigma and we are grateful to the

support of the Royal foundation for

providing funding for extra studies

on this important matter.

Johnny

Mercer. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Would

my honourable friend agree with me,

and we need to be careful around

this narrative around veterans, that

it would go too far down the road of

promoting the idea that we will not

contribute anything, it will not

help us to meet the challenge and

present mental health treatments on

a fair and acceptable footing for

our Armed Forces.

Maybe I could take

this opportunity to explain that the

absolute majority of the 14,000 that

leave the Armed Forces every single

year, make the transition into

civilian life without a problem

whatsoever. In fact, the majority,

90% or so, are either in education

or in a job within six months. But

some require support and they often

don't know where to find support on

my Right Honourable friend the

Secretary of State mentioned the

Armed Forces veterans Gateway and

this is the important portal, which

opens up over 400 military facing

charities, which can provide that

support for our deserved veterans.

The total number of 145 pilots

formally applied to leave the Royal

Air Force in the last three

financial years. Does the Minister

agree that the RAF must do

everything possible to retain its

experienced pilots, particularly in

the light of competition from the

civil sector? And will you look at

the case of 100 experienced pilots

disadvantaged in relation to their

peers by the latest change to pay

and conditions?

I absolutely

recognise that we do need to retain

our experienced pilots. There are a

number of financial retention

schemes to do that. Equally, pilots

have a choice as to whether or not

they wish to remain to fly by going

into specialists flying scheme, or

stop flying going to the generals

team. I found it deeply encouraging

that since the announcement that we

would be buying nine P8s the number

of commercial pilots who have left

the Royal Air Force who now want to

rejoin.

Mr Speaker, RAF pilots from

Lossiemouth in my constituency and

other military personnel in my

constituency have contacted me about

the SNP's tax, making Scotland the

highest taxed part of the United

Kingdom, and potentially making it a

less desirable posting. Does the

Minister agree with me that the SNP

should drop these dangerous plans,

but if they want, what support could

the government give RAF personnel in

Scotland who will face paying more

tax than their counterparts south of

the border?

. Bang on about SNP

policy, we don't need to do that. He

should focus on the latter part of

the question, which was orderly and

did relate to the policy of the

government, for which the esteemed

minister is responsible.

Mr Speaker, I wouldn't dream of

banging on about the Scottish

National Party, but it is of course

for them to justify to our Armed

Forces personnel about their higher

rate of income tax. What I would say

is I am yet to be contacted by any

Royal Air Force pilots wishing to

leave and I will continue to do my

best to ensure that they want to

stay in the Royal Air Force.

Minister Paul Sweeney.

Questioned

20, Mr Speaker. The National

shipbuilding strategy made clear

that as non-lordships the fleet will

be subject to international

competition and that a clear cost of

for money and advantages for

maximising competition which remain

the cornerstone of defence

procurement. UK companies are

welcome to participate in the

competition.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

South Korea building the tired class

fleet tankers for the Royal Fleet

Auxiliary have benefited from unfair

state assistance from the South

Korean government. Will the Minister

give assurances that for the next

batch of ships any ship yard

worldwide benefiting from unfair

state aid will be excluded from the

competition and even better wouldn't

commit the UK shipbuilders will be

able to bid on that basis?

I thank

the honourable member for his

question forth of the point in my

initial answer is clear, we believe

competition is a good thing and that

means fair competition, so we'd be

more than happy to look into the

details of the comments made by the

honourable member. We believe

competition on this issue is the

best way forward.

Topical questions,

Jim McMahon.

Since becoming Defence

Secretary I've asked the department

to develop robust options for

ensuring defence can match the

future threats and challenges facing

the nation. Shortly when the

national security capability review

finishes the Prime Minister and her

colleagues will decide how to take

forward its conclusions. I would not

wish to pre-empt them. However, as

the Prime Minister made clear in the

speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet

late last year, we face increasing

and diversifying threats to this

nation, and while the detail must

wait until the NSC are concludes, I

can assure this House that as long

as I am Defence Secretary we will

develop and sustain the capabilities

necessary to maintain continuous

at-sea deterrents. Carrier force

capable of striking globally and the

Armed Forces necessary to protect

the North Atlantic, properly support

our Nato allies, and protect the

United Kingdom and its global

interests. That is why I continue to

work with the Prime Minister and

Chancellor to secure a sustainable

budget for defence to deliver the

right capabilities now and in the

future. Finally, I'd like to thank

all those service personnel who gave

so much and did so much over

Christmas and New Year to make sure

that this country remains safe. I

thank the Secretary of State for his

belated acceptance speech. The Army

centre closed before the recruitment

contract was handed over to capita.

Not enough of the recruits were

recruited. Will they reviewed to see

if that has had an impact on new

recruits coming through? We will

always review anything that has an

impact in terms of local recruitment

and we certainly don't... We are

always looking at it and we have

seen a 50% increase in the number of

people applying to join the Army and

we want to build on that and make

sure more and more people join our

Armed Forces.

Mr Speaker, as a proud

civil engineer myself I'm excited by

the prospect of this being the year

junior. Can the Secretary of State

tell the House what plans his

department has to recruit more

nuclear engineers for the Navy

mechanical engineers for the Army

and aeronautical engineers for the

RAF to ensure we have sufficient of

these critical in the years ahead?

Minister.

I'm thankful for the

passion with which my honourable

friend presented his question. Iain

Moody supports engineers across the

services including focusing on

undergraduate, apprenticeships in

the Royal Navy and engineers, stem

events run by the army to inspire

young people and enhanced digital

marketing of the RAF to promote

graduate engineering opportunities.

John Mann.

Considering the appalling

state of some armed services

accommodation and the amount of gold

that we've poured down the throats

of Carillion, is today and this week

not a great opportunity to directly

employ some of the maintenance staff

and catering staff who could be

automatically taken on by the MoD

today, giving a good service,

without the requirement to give a

profit to Carillion or any other

private sector company?

Well, Mr

Speaker, as I said earlier, there

are plans in place to make sure that

what is happening with Carillion is

met, Valley continue providing the

important accommodation for our

service families and single

accommodation as well.

Cadets, Mr

Speaker. At this time when there is

so much pressure on this stomach his

department will budget, can we make

sure the Cadets who do so much to

make sure that recruitment does go

forward are properly protected and

resourced -- so much pressure on his

department.

My honourable friend is

a champion for the Cadets and with

over 800 Cadets and 125 adult

volunteers in 20 detachment is the

Hereford and Worcestershire Army

Cadet Force demonstrate how the

Cadet experience provides

opportunities for young people to

develop self-discipline and

resilience. I started my military

career in the Cadets and I'm a great

fan of the Cadets and we continue to

support the Cadet expansion

programme.

The National shipbuilding

strategy states that the type 31,

there will be 40 orders to overseas

nations. Seen that it's nearly 40

years since we successfully exported

any frigates, could the minister

explain how this figure was arrived

at? Is there any fact behind it, or

is it just optimistic spin?

It is

disparaging on our ability as a

nation. The aim of this country is

to deal with past failures by

ensuring that we have a platform

which will appeal to nations across

the world. We are confident at the

MoD that the platform we are

developing for the type 31 will be a

platform that will appeal across the

world and it would be good if some

members, who claim to represent the

industry would support it rather

than attack it.

Could he update the

House with regard to the Royal

Navy's crows nest system and join me

in tribute to the company based in

my constituency for developing this

project?

They will be operational

from 2020 to support the initial

operating capability for HMS Queen

Elizabeth. We are on track for

Crowsnest Pass service and like to

thank the company as they are a key

subcontractor for the positive

engagement and collaborative

approach in supporting this vital

project for the Royal Navy.

My

honourable friend pointed out that

20% of our defence budget is spent,

or recruitment budget, spent in the

United States to which the Secretary

of State suggested there are lots of

the contracts we were selling to the

USA. Could he say what they are?

Of

course. Just the other week I was

listening and learning about all the

things we do in terms of supporting

the United States through the F-35

UTC which employers over 2000 people

near my constituency, applying the

actuators, again, another American

company employing a British

workforce, making sure that we are

absolutely pivotal and part of the

supply chain of this very important

project that will generate many

thousands of jobs.

What has my Right

Honourable friend made of the threat

to Great Britain in the North

Atlantic, can he assure me that the

Royal Navy's submarine service has

the resources needed to meet any

such threat and provide a continuous

at-sea deterrent?

As I mentioned, in answer to the

honourable member earlier, the level

of naval activity we see from Russia

is at its height since the Cold War.

I'm sure that the House will

appreciate that I can't go into too

much detail. I can assure the House

that our independent nuclear

deterrent is continuously on patrol,

as it has been every day now for

nearly 50 years.

Thank you Mr Speaker. A constituent

of mine and a veteran of two tours

of Afghanistan, former rifleman Lee

Bagley, lost a leg after a

non-theatre related injury incurred

in February 2010. His subsequent

complaint about delays to his

treatment were dismissed, in part,

because he was out of time. Will the

minister, under proposals to improve

the armed forces covenant, ensure

that in any such circumstances

again, the victim will have a full

explanation of what he or she may

expect from treatment and their

rights available.

Of course, the

honourable member's constituent was

the subject of an adjournment debate

that he and I discussed, I think,

some 18 months ago. And the advice

at the time was that he should put

in a complaint to the service

complaints ombudsman. I'm not sure

if that has been done. However, if I

may I will take this opportunity to

review the case and come back to the

honourable gentleman.

The ability to communicate is

clearly key to our national economic

and security interests. Could the

minister say exactly what plans he

has to protect those on the basis of

the new threat posed by Russia to

undersee communications and internet

cables.

This is a very delicate

issue, however I can absolutely

reassure my honourable friend that

we have the capable to protect these

assets. It would be inappropriate to

say any more in this House.

...

Assesses effects of the delays to

the 2018/19 pay negotiations on

retention to the armed forces. Does

he not agree that quadies are

getting -- squaddies are getting a

real terms wage cut but the Scottish

Government is putting money in their

pocket through the more progressive

tax system.

I'll be giving evidence

to the independent pay review body

next month and we'll be doing

everything we can to make sure that

they get paid as and when they're

expected to do so. And let's not

forget the fact that you - the

Scottish Government is taking money

out of service personnel wages.

I very much welcome the

establishment of the veterans board,

would my right honourable friend

task it that there's greatary warns

of local government and public

bodies of their duties and

obligations under the covenant?

Yes,

you're absolutely right to highlight

this. So often local authorities

don't understand their duties and

obligation that's rest upon their

shoulders and we're not only just

creating intentions to improve the

lives of people who are serving in

our armed forces, but putting money

behind it, whether it's for premium,

for service personnel children to

make sure they get the right type of

education for their children. We

need service, we do need local

authorities to work with the

department to make sure that service

personnel benefit.

Thank you, Mr

Speaker. In 2013, the regulatory

reserve scheme was introduced. Since

then, we have paid out over £29

million and benefitted only with 480

deployable reservists. Would it not

have been better to use this money

to improve the conditions, the pay

and the benefits of those in our

regular forces and retaining them?

I'm not sure I agree with the

honourable lady's figures. I will

look at them because I don't have

them to hand. I think I absolutely

defend what we have done quite

successfully in increasing the size

of the reserve. Compared to where we

were three, four years ago, to now

have a useable reserve as we do is a

very positive thipg. -- thing. #

Will the Secretary of State join me

in congratulating the Army on their

new recruiting campaign, which shows

the changing face and culture of our

armed forces? Does he share my

thoughts that the corporals and

colour sergeants are now waiting

training will ensure our Army is no

less professional, robust and no

less lethal.

I agree with my

honourable friend more. The British

Army is the best in the world. What

we want to do is to recruit from

every walk of life, from every

background. It does not matter where

someone comes from, their sexuality

or anything else. We want to have

the best in our armed forces and

that is what we'll achieve.

I

welcome what the Secretary of State

said about his efforts to secure

further Hawk orders. Could I remind

him if we don't get those orders for

BAe Systems at Brough, when they

come to renew the arrows fleet,

there won't be any ability to do

that if those jobs are not there. If

the orders haven't come through. So

can I just remind him of that.

I thank the honourable lady for

reminding me of that. We have, I

believe, 75 Hawk aircraft, which the

Red Arrows bull from and are due --

pull from and are due to go to 2030.

This is why we are working so hard

to secure future orders for the Hawk

aircraft and will continue to do so

going forward.

I welcome the

minister's role and would he begin

his role by boosting exports by

pairing the national ship building

and aerospace strategy?

I thank my

honourable friend for welcoming me

to my role. The honourable gentleman

makes a really important role. I'd

be more than happy to take his

representations on board as we move

forward.

How often does the veterans board

meet? And what powers has it got?

It

meets twice a year and it has the

ability to direct and ensure that

ministers right across Government

are doing what's needed. It will

evolve. It will change. This is what

we want to see. I can't remember

such a body existing prior to 2010.

I'm very proud of what our party has

done for veterans and we will

continue to do deliver for them,

unlike other parties.

THE SPEAKER:

Order. Urnent question.