0:00:00 > 0:00:00round-up of the day in both houses of parliament from 11pm. First,
0:00:00 > 0:00:05questions to the Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and his
0:00:05 > 0:00:10ministerial team.Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Jim Shannon.
0:00:10 > 0:00:16Question number one.Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21We take the cyber threat seriously. We are strengthening defences
0:00:21 > 0:00:25against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Our approach to cyber
0:00:25 > 0:00:30defence includes a wide range of technical, operational and
0:00:30 > 0:00:33administrative measures. As well as close corporation with the National
0:00:33 > 0:00:39cyber Security Centre. This week we are opening a dedicated,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43state-of-the-art cyber defence school at the defence Academy to
0:00:43 > 0:00:48enhance cyber skills of defence personnel.Jim Shannon.I think the
0:00:48 > 0:01:04secretary of State for his reply. There were 762 3C attacks, so can
0:01:04 > 0:01:08the Secretary of State outline how his department is being shored up in
0:01:08 > 0:01:12the light of rising Russian aggression and increasing cyber
0:01:12 > 0:01:18attacks?The honourable gentleman is right to highlight this increasing
0:01:18 > 0:01:21threat and that is why we have announced plans to spend £1.9
0:01:21 > 0:01:27billion over five years in making sure the cyber defence is right and
0:01:27 > 0:01:32also make sure we develop capabilities, not just to defend
0:01:32 > 0:01:38against attack, but also to operationalise this ourselves.
0:01:38 > 0:01:46Britain's forces are a major force in the Baltic states. At a recent
0:01:46 > 0:01:49meeting of the Nato Parliamentary assembly we heard of some of the
0:01:49 > 0:01:53malign attacks made on those forces, particularly the German deployment
0:01:53 > 0:01:57in Lithuanian. I'm not asking my right honourable friend to give me
0:01:57 > 0:02:01great detail, because it might be secret, but can he give the house
0:02:01 > 0:02:05assurance we are learning from every attack taking place and we are
0:02:05 > 0:02:09training people down at quite a low level to ensure forces are best
0:02:09 > 0:02:13equipped to deal with this.I think it's a very important point. It's
0:02:13 > 0:02:17not just about the work we do centrally. It's about training our
0:02:17 > 0:02:21forces to best understand the threats they will be potentially
0:02:21 > 0:02:27exposed to as they are operating in increasingly hostile fields. This is
0:02:27 > 0:02:30something we have done in terms of all troops engaged in Nato
0:02:30 > 0:02:37operations and more globally as well.Local authorities can be
0:02:37 > 0:02:42vulnerable to cyber attacks. One in four councils including East
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Berkshire have experienced cyber security incidents but many do not
0:02:45 > 0:02:49even provide mandatory training on cyber security. What discussions has
0:02:49 > 0:02:54he had with the Department for Communities and Local Government and
0:02:54 > 0:02:56devolved administrations to make sure local communities do not become
0:02:56 > 0:03:00a soft target for cyber attacks. This is part of the reason why we
0:03:00 > 0:03:05set up the National cyber Security Centre, to make sure all elements of
0:03:05 > 0:03:09government are working together and tackling this issue. The point the
0:03:09 > 0:03:15right Honourable Lady raises is one I will take up with the Secretary of
0:03:15 > 0:03:17State for Department communities and local government to highlight the
0:03:17 > 0:03:21threats and challenges local government faces.Traditionally
0:03:21 > 0:03:25young men and women joined the Armed Forces in large part because of the
0:03:25 > 0:03:29physical challenge and desire for combat experience. Shouldn't we
0:03:29 > 0:03:33increasingly be recruiting young men and women because of their digital
0:03:33 > 0:03:39and IT proficiency so we can develop an elite group of cyber specialists?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43I think as we face new challenges going forward we have to be
0:03:43 > 0:03:48realistic that we need a whole different range of skills, not just
0:03:48 > 0:03:51the traditional skills that have been the backbone of our Armed
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Forces, but new skills and we are looking at how we can best recruit
0:03:54 > 0:03:59those into our Armed Forces. And not just into the regulars but also into
0:03:59 > 0:04:06reserves.Surely the Secretary of State knows that what Mr Putin
0:04:06 > 0:04:11announced a few days ago was basically a new Cold War. It's not
0:04:11 > 0:04:15just cyber warfare, it's every kind of warfare, at a time when Europe
0:04:15 > 0:04:21seems to be fragment in. Our commitment to Nato is deeply hurt by
0:04:21 > 0:04:26Donald Trump moving into a new phase of withdrawal. What will we do about
0:04:26 > 0:04:35all this?So, Putin has made it quite clear that he has hostile
0:04:35 > 0:04:41intent towards this country. We have been seeing the build-up of his
0:04:41 > 0:04:47forces across the Eastern front, and in terms of what they are doing over
0:04:47 > 0:04:51many years now, we have to wake up to that threat and respond to it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57It's not just through nuclear weapons. Our continuous at sea
0:04:57 > 0:05:02nuclear deterrent is absolutely integral to maintaining peace, but
0:05:02 > 0:05:06it's also through conventional Armed Forces. We have to match what Putin
0:05:06 > 0:05:11is doing with Russian forces. We have to be aware of the challenges
0:05:11 > 0:05:16they face and that is very much why we are engaging in modernising the
0:05:16 > 0:05:20defence programme to ensure we can match the Russians going forward.
0:05:20 > 0:05:28Ross Thompson.Question number two. Secretary of State.With permission,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Mr Speaker, I would like to answer questions two and seven together.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37The US and United Kingdom enjoy a strategic global partnership. This
0:05:37 > 0:05:42was forged through shared values and belief in freedom, the rule of law
0:05:42 > 0:05:46and order, and reinforced by mutual history, partnership and military
0:05:46 > 0:05:52cooperation. The UK defence cooperation is today the broadest,
0:05:52 > 0:05:58deepest and most advanced of any two countries. Our collaboration extends
0:05:58 > 0:06:03across the full spectrum of defence, including operations and flagship
0:06:03 > 0:06:07capability programmes. Our troops have fought alongside each other for
0:06:07 > 0:06:13over 100 years. And 2018 will be another busy year.Ross Thompson.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Thank you Mr Speaker, and I thank my right honourable friend for his
0:06:16 > 0:06:21answer. Currently the UK's defence trade partnership with the US is
0:06:21 > 0:06:25worth over $3 billion including collaboration projects such as the
0:06:25 > 0:06:30S35 programme and the common compartment for the ballistic
0:06:30 > 0:06:36submarines. Does the UK regaining its ability to strike free trade
0:06:36 > 0:06:40deals across the globe post Brexit, we have the opportunity to deepen
0:06:40 > 0:06:43the bonds of our special relationship with the US when it
0:06:43 > 0:06:48comes to national defence interests? We already one of the world's
0:06:48 > 0:06:52leading countries in terms of defence exports and we have to seize
0:06:52 > 0:06:56the opportunities that exiting the European Union provides in order to
0:06:56 > 0:07:00expand the ability to export right around the world. Making sure it's
0:07:00 > 0:07:04absolutely clear Britain is a world leader in technology and science,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and so much of what we do historically with the United States
0:07:08 > 0:07:15is something we can do more and more right around the globe.Can I
0:07:15 > 0:07:19implore my right honourable friend not to listen to the Trump bashing
0:07:19 > 0:07:25opposite. There is absolutely no indication whatsoever that President
0:07:25 > 0:07:32Trump is attenuating his commitment to Nato. Can I further say to my
0:07:32 > 0:07:37right honourable friend, that Nato is the backbone, not the European
0:07:37 > 0:07:43Union, of this nation's defence. And he should be, and I know that he is,
0:07:43 > 0:07:47going out there to Washington, speaking to his counterparts, and
0:07:47 > 0:07:52can he talk about precisely what he has achieved. Sorry about that!
0:07:52 > 0:07:58LAUGHTER I thought my honourable friend was
0:07:58 > 0:08:05incredibly elegant. Let's be absolutely clear, there is one
0:08:05 > 0:08:12reason that we have had peace right across the continent of Europe since
0:08:12 > 0:08:14the Second World War, and that's down to the North Atlantic Treaty
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Organisation. And the fact it has acted as deterrents against those
0:08:19 > 0:08:23who wished to prosecute aggressive campaigns against the West. I am
0:08:23 > 0:08:28very proud of the work that has been done and will be done in the future
0:08:28 > 0:08:32with our allies.David Hanson.That the Secretary of State to tell me
0:08:32 > 0:08:36what was the pound and dollar rate at the time of the commissioning of
0:08:36 > 0:08:42the S35 programme, what is it now, and how much taxpayer's extra money
0:08:42 > 0:08:47is being commissioned as a result? I'm afraid I don't have the exchange
0:08:47 > 0:08:52rates with me, but I will write to the honourable gentleman with those
0:08:52 > 0:08:57exchange rates. The changes in terms of exchange rates over the last few
0:08:57 > 0:09:02years have cost about a quarter of £1 billion extra for the defence
0:09:02 > 0:09:11budget as a result of the pound moving.Jonathan Edwards.The US
0:09:11 > 0:09:14nuclear posturing was met with an equal amount of posturing from
0:09:14 > 0:09:19President Putin in his State of the nation address. What is the
0:09:19 > 0:09:27Minister's response as the world slides into a new Cold War.Let's be
0:09:27 > 0:09:36really clear, President Putin has been developing a much more hostile
0:09:36 > 0:09:40and aggressive posture towards the United Kingdom, towards the United
0:09:40 > 0:09:44States, towards our allies, for an awful lot longer than the last 12
0:09:44 > 0:09:52months. They want to assert their rights, you have seen increased
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Russian activity in the North Atlantic. A tenfold increase in the
0:09:56 > 0:10:03last few years. Do we sit submissively bike? Do we just accept
0:10:03 > 0:10:08that President Putin can do whatever he wishes to do, or do we have to
0:10:08 > 0:10:12look at how we respond and make it clear that we are not willing to
0:10:12 > 0:10:16stand up to bullying? The fact nations are being subjected to
0:10:16 > 0:10:21attacks by Russia, we need to deal with that, that's what we will do,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25and that's why I am proud we have a continuous at sea nuclear deterrent.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Would my right honourable friend in from the house were discussions he
0:10:28 > 0:10:33has with his US counterpart so we work together to ensure other Nato
0:10:33 > 0:10:36allies pay the 2% of GDP they should be paying towards collective
0:10:36 > 0:10:44defence?In this country I am proud to be able to say we spent 2% of GDP
0:10:44 > 0:10:48on defence. But we cannot outsource the defence of Europe to the United
0:10:48 > 0:10:51States. Every European country has to play its part in terms of
0:10:51 > 0:10:55defending Europe, and that means spending the money required in order
0:10:55 > 0:11:02to defend the borders of western Europe.Can I begin by paying
0:11:02 > 0:11:06tribute to the members of the Armed Forces who helped their country get
0:11:06 > 0:11:11moving as much as it could over the week. How confident can the
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Secretary of State, his US counterpart, or indeed any Nato
0:11:13 > 0:11:17counterpart be that we can bring what we say we can bring to the
0:11:17 > 0:11:21table when there is a £20 billion funding gap in his department?
0:11:24 > 0:11:28What we are doing we are looking at what resources are needed in terms
0:11:28 > 0:11:32of going forward and we carry considerable contingencies in terms
0:11:32 > 0:11:36of our equipment plan and we are very competent we can deliver
0:11:36 > 0:11:42everything we need for our Armed Forces. -- confident for the.That
0:11:42 > 0:11:47is a head in the sand answer, it was said that projects would have to be
0:11:47 > 0:11:53scaled back or an accountant, will he assure us that no project in
0:11:53 > 0:11:59Scotland will suffer this?I'm sure the gentleman is where we are doing
0:11:59 > 0:12:03a modernising defence programme and he will be pleased that we opened up
0:12:03 > 0:12:08our public consultation as part of this programme and we are going to
0:12:08 > 0:12:12be looking at all of what we do, how best we can use our Armed Forces to
0:12:12 > 0:12:16deliver for the whole of the UK and make sure that we are best protected
0:12:16 > 0:12:22against the threat from abroad and other forward to the gentlemen's
0:12:22 > 0:12:27contribution. -- I look forward. Question three.Minister Mark
0:12:27 > 0:12:34Lancaster.The Royal Navy is going for the first time in a generation
0:12:34 > 0:12:37with the aircraft carriers, news of dreams and frigates and patrol
0:12:37 > 0:12:42vessels and aircraft, and the Royal Navy continues to respond to the
0:12:42 > 0:12:45demand be placed upon them and maintain their operational edge --
0:12:45 > 0:12:53with you submarines.The nation has lost a third of our ships, and in
0:12:53 > 0:12:56uncertain times, can the minister give people in Plymouth the visuals
0:12:56 > 0:13:01that Devonport will not have any more cuts to frigates in the
0:13:01 > 0:13:07upcoming review?I take this opportunity to underline and thank
0:13:07 > 0:13:11the people of Plymouth for their age commitment and support to the Royal
0:13:11 > 0:13:16Navy and I can absolutely sure the gentleman that Devonport will
0:13:16 > 0:13:19continue to be one of the Cornerstone basis of the Royal Navy
0:13:19 > 0:13:24in the future and he will be aware that only recently we allocated the
0:13:24 > 0:13:30location of the type 23 frigates and we are doing will work with the type
0:13:30 > 0:13:3726 and we hope to announce that shortly.I must declare an interest,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41my grandfather and father in the world maybe and I can say they would
0:13:41 > 0:13:51be telling in their grave at the size of the Royal Navy -- turning.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Would the minister except that the threats around the world are
0:13:53 > 0:13:58growing, not least with China, which is seldom talked about, and I know
0:13:58 > 0:14:02we are sending one ship across the waters to South Tanna, can I ask him
0:14:02 > 0:14:08for assurance that the Royal Navy will be increased? -- South China.
0:14:08 > 0:14:14You will be aware of the recent deployment of HMS Sutherland and
0:14:14 > 0:14:16they will be further deployments in the future to that part of the
0:14:16 > 0:14:21world, but what I will say to him, for the first time in a generation
0:14:21 > 0:14:25the Royal Navy is actually growing and it grew in manpower last year
0:14:25 > 0:14:29and will continue to grow over the next couple of years but also not
0:14:29 > 0:14:35just in manpower but also growing in its surface fleet size, the latest
0:14:35 > 0:14:41arrived in Portsmouth only this weekend.Given everything his boss
0:14:41 > 0:14:44has said about the portals of Nato, and the deterrent of the threat of
0:14:44 > 0:14:51Russia, it would be unthinkable, would it not, not to audit the full
0:14:51 > 0:15:02quota of seven S class submarines. The honourable man is a champion for
0:15:02 > 0:15:05his constituency and he frequently comes to support the programme of
0:15:05 > 0:15:13work which is considering seat has -- which his constituency has
0:15:13 > 0:15:15continued to build submarines for generations and I'm very confident
0:15:15 > 0:15:19that shortly the gentleman will have the news he wishes.When H mess
0:15:19 > 0:15:28Queen Elizabeth goes to sea it will lead a free to protect it -- HMS.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Can the minister reassure the house that the Royal Navy has this
0:15:30 > 0:15:39protection question --?Yes, the Royal Navy continues to meet its
0:15:39 > 0:15:42operational requirements and as I have said a few moments ago, the
0:15:42 > 0:15:49size of our fleet will increase in years to come.The minister will be
0:15:49 > 0:15:54aware that the National Audit Office has released a scathing report of
0:15:54 > 0:16:04the equipment plan until 2027, and it says there is a £20.8 billion
0:16:04 > 0:16:08gaping black hole in the MoD's budget but can the minister tell me
0:16:08 > 0:16:13what it is that the type 31 E frigates are not even referred to in
0:16:13 > 0:16:21the equipment plan?It is a bit rich, when the honourable gentleman
0:16:21 > 0:16:25comes to the dispatch box to criticise this government when it
0:16:25 > 0:16:30comes to black holes in defence spending, given the record of the
0:16:30 > 0:16:40last Labour government in this area. But I'm sure that my honourable
0:16:40 > 0:16:46friend will write to the gentleman to explain why this is the case.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52Question number four.With permission, I would like to answer
0:16:52 > 0:17:00question four. With the bigger plan worth £180 billion over ten years,
0:17:00 > 0:17:06the rise in the defence budget, there are a range of supplies to
0:17:06 > 0:17:09work with the Mehdi, and we recently had an event reaching out to the
0:17:09 > 0:17:15defence sector entrepreneurs, increasing opportunities to work
0:17:15 > 0:17:22with governments.In my constituency there is a leading supplier of
0:17:22 > 0:17:27fabrics, which are designed to keep our service personnel safe and well
0:17:27 > 0:17:31protected in the field, what is my friend doing to support businesses
0:17:31 > 0:17:35within the defence Supply chain that manufacture technical textiles and
0:17:35 > 0:17:39would he consider visiting this company to see for themselves be
0:17:39 > 0:17:45innovative work being carried out in support of our Armed Forces?Thank
0:17:45 > 0:17:48you for that question and indeed I would like to take you up on the
0:17:48 > 0:17:53kind offer to meet this company who are an important provider of
0:17:53 > 0:17:56services to the MoD, and I think this is a classic example of a
0:17:56 > 0:18:01company which is generating key supplies for the MoD for our armed
0:18:01 > 0:18:03service and being innovative in the way they do that and that innovation
0:18:03 > 0:18:08is something that we see across the board with MoD contracts, innovative
0:18:08 > 0:18:16in terms of the UK economy.Does the minister agree that the launch of
0:18:16 > 0:18:25the REF's first satellite is to be welcomed -- RAF. And we'll space
0:18:25 > 0:18:30technology be part of the combat air strategy? -- will.I was very
0:18:30 > 0:18:37disappointed not to have visited the company who developed the facility
0:18:37 > 0:18:42because of the weather last Thursday, but this is a significant
0:18:42 > 0:18:45development, this is an example of innovative thinking being developed
0:18:45 > 0:18:51by the MoD and the force and even more important, this was a concept
0:18:51 > 0:18:57only ten months ago but it has now been delivered, and as part of the
0:18:57 > 0:18:59come at a strategy, the way we interlinked with satellite
0:18:59 > 0:19:10technology will be a key aspect.The minister made a welcome visit to Bae
0:19:10 > 0:19:16incher mustered which has played a key role in developing radar
0:19:16 > 0:19:23technology through the generations -- Bae in Chelmsford. Does the
0:19:23 > 0:19:26minister agree that it is vital to maintain British capacity and make
0:19:26 > 0:19:32sure that these skills stay in Britain?I thank you for that
0:19:32 > 0:19:35question and I also pay tribute to the work being done in your
0:19:35 > 0:19:40constituency by Bae and she is right to highlight the importance of
0:19:40 > 0:19:43keeping skills in the UK and that is why we should all be proud across
0:19:43 > 0:19:48all parts of this house that the Ministry of Defence is responsible
0:19:48 > 0:19:50for over 20,000 apprenticeship opportunities throughout the UK and
0:19:50 > 0:20:01it highlights again BMA -- the MoD procurement leads to high quality
0:20:01 > 0:20:10jobs all through the UK including Chelmsford.If the UK withdraws from
0:20:10 > 0:20:14the European reach chemical regulations and the free movement of
0:20:14 > 0:20:18scientists and engineers is not part of the Brexit agreement, defence
0:20:18 > 0:20:23companies have expressed concerns over this.I thank you for that
0:20:23 > 0:20:26question and I think we can agree that the free movement of people
0:20:26 > 0:20:29with relevant skills is something the government would like to see
0:20:29 > 0:20:34continue, but in relation to the rich issue this is an issue that the
0:20:34 > 0:20:38MoD is already engaging with -- the reach issue for them is a meeting
0:20:38 > 0:20:46about this tomorrow, as it happens, and this is a subject that the MoD
0:20:46 > 0:20:52is top on but I can understand the question, but I feel we will have
0:20:52 > 0:21:06these deals shortly.... Also in my honourable friend's clan
0:21:10 > 0:21:13would be minister commit to speaking with his colleagues at the
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Department for Transport and perhaps meeting with me to make sure they
0:21:16 > 0:21:18get the support from the whole of government to export to other
0:21:18 > 0:21:23markets including the United States? Again, I would be delighted to meet
0:21:23 > 0:21:26with you to discuss this issue in more detail and I was pleased to
0:21:26 > 0:21:30visit the company in question in my previous position and it was
0:21:30 > 0:21:34difficult not to be impressed with what they provide for our Armed
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Forces and any opportunity to support Welsh businesses moving
0:21:36 > 0:21:45forward, I would be more than happy to take on.This offers the
0:21:45 > 0:21:49framework through which we can achieve innovation with different
0:21:49 > 0:21:54suppliers, Izzy considering agreeing more portfolio agreements question
0:21:54 > 0:22:00not -- is he.That is a very important but not one of the first
0:22:00 > 0:22:05meetings I had in my new position was with MBTA, and that agreement is
0:22:05 > 0:22:11an example of what can be done in terms of innovation in how we reach
0:22:11 > 0:22:17procurement, it means a degree of partnership between the MoD and the
0:22:17 > 0:22:23businesses in question.May I also welcome the combat Ester today and
0:22:23 > 0:22:27could be minister give a commitment that this review will look to make
0:22:27 > 0:22:31sure the RAF have the equipment they need for the complex of the future
0:22:31 > 0:22:36but a look at how British industry will deliver -- conflicts.My
0:22:36 > 0:22:41honourable friend is a great champion of the RAF and I know this
0:22:41 > 0:22:49was a issue that he called for before the announcement was made and
0:22:49 > 0:22:54indeed it is about capability but it is also about embedding the ability
0:22:54 > 0:22:57of UK industry to respond to the needs of the 21st-century and I
0:22:57 > 0:23:04think the combat air strategy will do that.Mr speaker there is
0:23:04 > 0:23:08crippling uncertainty about the customs arrangements that our
0:23:08 > 0:23:11defence supplies will face after Brexit and this is threatening their
0:23:11 > 0:23:17ability to innovate and invest, just today the REF's biggest supplier of
0:23:17 > 0:23:21large aircraft has warned that trade barriers will seriously impede their
0:23:21 > 0:23:25ability to move parts across borders and it is clear that only a cobra
0:23:25 > 0:23:29heads a customs union with the EU can guarantee frictionless trade --
0:23:29 > 0:23:34only eight comprehensive. Why has the government ruled out this
0:23:34 > 0:23:40option?The government has been very clear, we want the most
0:23:40 > 0:23:44comprehensive free trade agreement possible with the EU and that will
0:23:44 > 0:23:49respond to the concerns of industry and especially industries supplying
0:23:49 > 0:23:56the defence sector.The fact of the matter is, a DS, the trade body,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59said the government's preferred options are either incomplete or so
0:23:59 > 0:24:03complex basically won't be viable. Why is it that the government will
0:24:03 > 0:24:09not listen to the voices of industry like a DS and why are they ignoring
0:24:09 > 0:24:15those voices and ignoring their support for a customs union? Is it
0:24:15 > 0:24:20not the case that the government is putting ideology above the interests
0:24:20 > 0:24:25of defence supplies, pursuing an extreme Brexit which will damage our
0:24:25 > 0:24:32national sovereignty and security? Only a few weeks ago the honourable
0:24:32 > 0:24:35lady was voting against a proposition from her own
0:24:35 > 0:24:38backbenchers asking for the UK to stay within the customs union, and
0:24:38 > 0:24:46the announcement made by the Leader of the Opposition was about staying
0:24:46 > 0:24:51in a customs union but not the customs union.Number five, Mr
0:24:51 > 0:24:57speaker.Secretary of State.Our Armed Forces are amongst the best in
0:24:57 > 0:25:02the world and to the modernising defence programme we are assessing
0:25:02 > 0:25:05the threats that the country faces an understanding what we can do to
0:25:05 > 0:25:09make them ever more effective at keeping us safe and into the future
0:25:09 > 0:25:16today.The Defence Secretary will recognise the threats that we face
0:25:16 > 0:25:22from conventional and new forms of technology are massive and varied
0:25:22 > 0:25:26and not simply from Russia but from many different sources and in that
0:25:26 > 0:25:35context, can he tell us has the Chancellor agreed to sign up to the
0:25:35 > 0:25:41process?When the Prime Minister and the Chancellor and myself met we
0:25:41 > 0:25:44agreed the terms of reference of the modernising defence programme and we
0:25:44 > 0:25:50are clear that it was not to be fiscally neutral and we were to
0:25:50 > 0:25:55understand what the threats were and to understand the capabilities that
0:25:55 > 0:26:00were needed and made sure that the defence... The Ministry of Defence
0:26:00 > 0:26:03leads the study to make sure we are best equipped to deal with those
0:26:03 > 0:26:07threats.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12Can my right honourable friend update the house on what progress
0:26:12 > 0:26:16has been made on modernising the defence review so we can ensure the
0:26:16 > 0:26:21defence of the realm is safe?I can assure my honourable friend we are
0:26:21 > 0:26:25making good progress. As I mentioned earlier, we are opening it up to
0:26:25 > 0:26:29public consultation. We are eager to report back to the house as quickly
0:26:29 > 0:26:34as possible. We would hope this can be done by June or July, before the
0:26:34 > 0:26:42Nato summit.We have seen this week our Armed Forces rise to the
0:26:42 > 0:26:46challenge in any weather. In spite of our increased commitments to the
0:26:46 > 0:26:51Baltic states, cuts to training have left the Royal Marines with fewer
0:26:51 > 0:26:55opportunities to develop their cold weather warfare skills. In January
0:26:55 > 0:26:59the Minister for the Armed Forces said offcuts to training exercises
0:26:59 > 0:27:03in Norway, I am confident it was a one off saving. Can the Secretary of
0:27:03 > 0:27:09State confirm that training will return to normal levels next year?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12We have had 500 Royal Marines already training out in Norway this
0:27:12 > 0:27:19year. We look forward to continuing that collaboration going forward.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's right to say that our Armed Forces are always ready to serve.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26And when things are difficult it is our Armed Forces that always step up
0:27:26 > 0:27:39to the plate.Question six.Mr Speaker, I was trying to off-load
0:27:39 > 0:27:42various questions to my ministerial colleagues. Sadly they were not
0:27:42 > 0:27:54willing to take them! God loves a try! I have regular conversations
0:27:54 > 0:27:58with my UN and US counterparts on maintaining defence cooperation
0:27:58 > 0:28:03between the European Union and Nato. The EU and Nato cooperation is key
0:28:03 > 0:28:06to combating the breadth of challenges we face and institutions
0:28:06 > 0:28:11must work together in a way that is complimentary and prevents
0:28:11 > 0:28:16duplication. UK will continue to support better working between the
0:28:16 > 0:28:22EU and Nato while we remain in the EU and we leave.Thank you to the
0:28:22 > 0:28:27Secretary of State for taking my question on. Following the recent
0:28:27 > 0:28:31signing of the permanent structure cooperation pact between 25 EU
0:28:31 > 0:28:34nations, what role does the Secretary of State envisage for the
0:28:34 > 0:28:38UK after Brexit and ensure the future cooperation plans enhanced
0:28:38 > 0:28:43Nato rather than detract from it?I think they have always had
0:28:43 > 0:28:48traditional tensions within the European Union, as to which way they
0:28:48 > 0:28:53would like to take the European Union's role in defence. But we want
0:28:53 > 0:28:58to work with our European Union partners and we mustn't forget that
0:28:58 > 0:29:0480% of Nato's defence is provided by countries outside of the European
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Union. And we shouldn't see leaving the European Union as a step towards
0:29:08 > 0:29:14making the continent of Europe less safe. Indeed, it's fair to say that
0:29:14 > 0:29:18before the European Union was invented, Nato was already doing
0:29:18 > 0:29:24that incredibly successfully in the decades before. I think we want to
0:29:24 > 0:29:29have the opportunity to work closely with our European Union partners but
0:29:29 > 0:29:32we equally want to make sure it does not detract away from the amazing
0:29:32 > 0:29:40work Nato does.The European defence agency does not really envisage
0:29:40 > 0:29:44third-party countries joining. Is this one of the agencies you will be
0:29:44 > 0:29:48seeking an administrative arrangement with?We are happy to
0:29:48 > 0:29:52have discussions about how best we can work with European partners. But
0:29:52 > 0:29:57we do not want to do anything that diminishes what we actually agreed
0:29:57 > 0:30:03to on 23rd of June 2016, which is exiting the EU. But if we can work
0:30:03 > 0:30:07in a pragmatic way with European partners, that's good. Let's not
0:30:07 > 0:30:13forget, most of what we do in terms of, let's say, equipment programmes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:22It's done on a bilateral relations, not the European Union.The Armed
0:30:22 > 0:30:31Forces covered an annual report published in December of 2017. There
0:30:31 > 0:30:36are more than 2000 companies signed up. The cross of all body, the
0:30:36 > 0:30:40veterans board chaired by the defence, secretary is used to ensure
0:30:40 > 0:30:43government departments meet their covenant commitments. What I am
0:30:43 > 0:30:47grateful to my right honourable friend for the answer, but what
0:30:47 > 0:30:52conversations does he havein the Ministry of Housing, communities and
0:30:52 > 0:30:55local governments to ensure there is better understanding in local
0:30:55 > 0:30:58government of their duties, obligations and what they need to do
0:30:58 > 0:31:02under the covenant?My honourable friend raises an important point.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07It's important each department recognises and understands its own
0:31:07 > 0:31:14commitments. That's why stress the importance of the veterans board. We
0:31:14 > 0:31:18have proper assessment techniques to make sure that the commitments, in
0:31:18 > 0:31:27this case to do with housing, are met.Mr Jones.Thank you Mr Speaker.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32People across this country and in this house were horrified to read
0:31:32 > 0:31:41last week that the Minister of defence took money from the Libor
0:31:41 > 0:31:46funds, and spent it on projects, albeit worthy ones, that he should
0:31:46 > 0:31:49be part of routine department spending. We know things are bad in
0:31:49 > 0:31:52the MOD but they can hardly consider themselves a charity. Can the
0:31:52 > 0:31:57Minister tell the house how this was allowed to happen and more
0:31:57 > 0:32:02importantly, will the department pay the money back?I also saw those
0:32:02 > 0:32:07comments that were made in the press. It's important to understand
0:32:07 > 0:32:11that the grants are therefore additional facilities. There is an
0:32:11 > 0:32:14additional facility from the MOD to provide core activities. There is a
0:32:14 > 0:32:22great area in between. I am more than happy to look at the details he
0:32:22 > 0:32:34raises and will write to him.Sir Robert Sims.Questioned nine.May I
0:32:34 > 0:32:39group this question with number 17. The house will recall the flexible
0:32:39 > 0:32:44working bill passed its third reading of January 29 this year and
0:32:44 > 0:32:48has received Royal assent allowing regular Armed Forces personnel to
0:32:48 > 0:32:52work part-time for a temporary period, but this is subject to
0:32:52 > 0:32:58operational capability of the applicants' unit.Can I thank the
0:32:58 > 0:33:02Minister for his reply. In order to retain people in the armed services
0:33:02 > 0:33:06and recruit these days, it's important to have more flexible
0:33:06 > 0:33:09terms and conditions. How rapidly does he think this will happen, now
0:33:09 > 0:33:17or in two or three months?It's important to recognise that we need
0:33:17 > 0:33:21to reflect the needs and aspirations of civilian society as well. This
0:33:21 > 0:33:26has already been introduced as flexible capability. The process is
0:33:26 > 0:33:29ongoing. It has received Royal assent and will come into being in
0:33:29 > 0:33:38April of 2019.It's extremely important that we continue to make
0:33:38 > 0:33:42the Armed Forces a desirable career through measures such as flexible
0:33:42 > 0:33:48working. However, in Scotland, due to the SNP government personnel will
0:33:48 > 0:33:51be paying higher taxes than their colleagues south of the border. Will
0:33:51 > 0:33:57my honourable friends do all he can to sort out this ill thought out
0:33:57 > 0:34:00mess the SNP has created?I am not sure there is much more to add, than
0:34:00 > 0:34:08an ill thought out mess. Specifically on the conditions of
0:34:08 > 0:34:11service, it's also right that service men and women who come unfit
0:34:11 > 0:34:18for duty should have Assistant to support them that is fit for
0:34:18 > 0:34:22service. It currently is not. The Minister said his department would
0:34:22 > 0:34:28publish a response. Where is it as Jim White I will write to the
0:34:28 > 0:34:37honourable lady with the details. -- where is it?I will write to the
0:34:37 > 0:34:41honourable lady with the details. We have a mental health strategy that
0:34:41 > 0:34:44will remove the stigma sometimes attached to people coming forward to
0:34:44 > 0:34:48make clear there is an issue to be dealt with so they can get back to
0:34:48 > 0:34:53the front line. I will write to the honourable lady.Many constituents
0:34:53 > 0:34:56have given outstanding service to our country and I've come to me with
0:34:56 > 0:35:00mental health problems. How can we ensure the conditions of service
0:35:00 > 0:35:03also include post-service follow-up to give these people the care they
0:35:03 > 0:35:10need?It leads me nicely on from the answer I have just given. The mental
0:35:10 > 0:35:13health strategy was brought in, it was not working well before and
0:35:13 > 0:35:18people were reluctant to come forward. We now have 11 major
0:35:18 > 0:35:21departments across Britain, established in the main hubs of
0:35:21 > 0:35:24where Armed Forces are actually based designed to help and assist
0:35:24 > 0:35:28those people step forward to deal with mental health issues. We should
0:35:28 > 0:35:32also recognise that we have the launch of the Armed Forces military
0:35:32 > 0:35:41mental health 24/7 Mac helpline last week that allows direct access to
0:35:41 > 0:35:50support.Marcus Fysh.Number Ten.At last month's Nato defence
0:35:50 > 0:35:55ministerial we discussed modernisation. This is a UK priority
0:35:55 > 0:35:59and my priority is for a modern Nato fit to face modern challenges that
0:35:59 > 0:36:02is delivering against its commitments. We will take further
0:36:02 > 0:36:04commitments to modernise the alliance when defence ministers
0:36:04 > 0:36:15meets next in June and at the next Nato summit in Brussels in July.UK
0:36:15 > 0:36:19defence equivalent manufactures can bolt on to EU defence programmes.
0:36:19 > 0:36:26For example, Leonardo and the unmanned defence system is well
0:36:26 > 0:36:31placed to help their Italian counterparts. Can my right
0:36:31 > 0:36:34honourable friend assure us that such cooperation will happen without
0:36:34 > 0:36:40the UK submitting to EU defence operational and equipment investment
0:36:40 > 0:36:47governance that might risk undermining Nato?Yes I can.Jim
0:36:47 > 0:36:56Cunningham.12.Pay rates are recommended by the independent Armed
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Forces pay review body. We look forward to receiving their next step
0:37:00 > 0:37:04of recommendations later this spring. We have made it clear to all
0:37:04 > 0:37:07personnel that any award once announced will be backdated to one
0:37:07 > 0:37:15April 2018.Is the Minister of defence actually saying that he pay
0:37:15 > 0:37:19increase for the Armed Forces is actually being delayed, and if so,
0:37:19 > 0:37:27when does he intends to implement it?As I say, we are waiting for the
0:37:27 > 0:37:30report to come through. It's unfortunate that we have had to
0:37:30 > 0:37:35introduce a pay restraint anyway. I think we shouldn't lose sight of why
0:37:35 > 0:37:38the pay restraint was introduced in the first place. It's because the
0:37:38 > 0:37:41last government was living beyond its means and only with a return to
0:37:41 > 0:37:48a strong economy can we responsibly increase public sector pay.Last
0:37:48 > 0:37:54week we saw how our Armed Forces stepped up to deal with the chaos
0:37:54 > 0:37:58caused by the very challenging weather conditions. Does the
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Minister not therefore agree that these brave men and women deserve
0:38:02 > 0:38:08more than 1% pay rise, which is in fact a real terms pay cut? And will
0:38:08 > 0:38:13he make that clear to the pay review body?It works the other way round,
0:38:13 > 0:38:17but I do agree with them, I would like to see an increase of more than
0:38:17 > 0:38:221%. I go back to the rather delicate point, received with some hostility
0:38:22 > 0:38:25from the other side, we can't lose sight of the fact that we have to do
0:38:25 > 0:38:31have a responsibility in making sure we have a strong economy so we can
0:38:31 > 0:38:35increase public sector pay across the board. If I may, Mr Speaker,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39underline the wider point I made last week, that without strong
0:38:39 > 0:38:42defence in this fast changing and dangerous world, a strong economy
0:38:42 > 0:38:48can't be guaranteed. That's why I said that 2% GDP on defence is not
0:38:48 > 0:38:52enough. Thanks to the efforts of this Defence Secretary we now have
0:38:52 > 0:38:56an opportunity to make the case, to put the argument through the defence
0:38:56 > 0:39:03modernisation programme for a more robust defence posture that ensures
0:39:03 > 0:39:12access to the markets that will help our economy.Question 13.The UK has
0:39:12 > 0:39:18a key role in Nato's enhanced... By leading a battle group in Estonia
0:39:18 > 0:39:23and contributing to a US-led battle group in Poland. We have deployed
0:39:23 > 0:39:27around 800 personnel to Estonia and around 150 to Poland. These
0:39:27 > 0:39:34deployments are part of the broader commitment to Nato and alliances on
0:39:34 > 0:39:39the eastern flank.I thank him for that response. Does he agree with me
0:39:39 > 0:39:44that both our security and our economy rely on the confidence
0:39:44 > 0:39:50placed in us by our Nato allies, that we will, in the event of an
0:39:50 > 0:39:53article five situation, be both ready and willing to support our
0:39:53 > 0:39:59eastern flank Nato allies?My honourable friend makes a very
0:39:59 > 0:40:04important point. It's absolutely right that our power is an important
0:40:04 > 0:40:09part of maintaining defence and security, as the Vice Chief of the
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Defence Staff said last week, and made the strong case for spending
0:40:12 > 0:40:18more on defence. Armed Forces and civilians in defence must do more to
0:40:18 > 0:40:21work with other departments in both international development and
0:40:21 > 0:40:31diplomacy.Question 14.I continue to monitor the recruiting
0:40:31 > 0:40:40partnership project very closely. Recruiting people into Armed Forces
0:40:40 > 0:40:44today is more important than ever. The Defence Secretary recently said
0:40:44 > 0:40:47we are working closely with capita to make a contract work better.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52Could he give specific examples of this work, how he will be assessing
0:40:52 > 0:40:58whether performance has improved, and in what time frame.Defence has
0:40:58 > 0:41:03been working closely with Capita on a recruitment plan which has now
0:41:03 > 0:41:07been implement it. Initial signs are promising. We expect Capita to
0:41:07 > 0:41:13deliver on improvements and will be monitoring progress closely in
0:41:13 > 0:41:16coming months, including ensuring that the new defence recruiting
0:41:16 > 0:41:23system reaches full operating capability as quickly as possible.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Although many believe the regular army should be closer to 100,000 in
0:41:27 > 0:41:29strength it appears we are struggling to even reach the reduced
0:41:29 > 0:41:33figure of 82,000, what more can the government do to make sure that we
0:41:33 > 0:41:40recruit and maintain those levels and increase them close to 82,000?
0:41:40 > 0:41:44There is a lot that is going on at the moment, we're working closely
0:41:44 > 0:41:49with capitalize it would be a to said that to having to with the
0:41:49 > 0:41:57implementation of the defence system -- R but it would be wrong to say
0:41:57 > 0:42:07that we're not having problems. We are recruiting from the female and
0:42:07 > 0:42:10bame population and there has been an increase but we have to make sure
0:42:10 > 0:42:16we do everything we can to make sure that joining the Armed Forces is an
0:42:16 > 0:42:24attractive population and this is something we intend to continue with
0:42:24 > 0:42:37-- attractive proposition.May I greet this with question 16. The MoD
0:42:37 > 0:42:43works to make sure that our service people have the best mental health
0:42:43 > 0:42:46and well-being strategy but I do stress that the number of cases
0:42:46 > 0:42:49dealt with in the Armed Forces to deal with mental health are less
0:42:49 > 0:42:55than the general civilian population.Would my right
0:42:55 > 0:43:00honourable friend agree that organisations which run a weekly
0:43:00 > 0:43:05support group in my constituency of Southport play an essential role in
0:43:05 > 0:43:09helping veterans including any mental health support they may need.
0:43:09 > 0:43:18There are over 400 charities that support not just the military but
0:43:18 > 0:43:22also their families and the community and yours is just one of
0:43:22 > 0:43:25them and they do immense work in providing that support which they
0:43:25 > 0:43:32deserve and also need.Mental health problems place great strain on
0:43:32 > 0:43:35relationships whilst family breakdown can worsen mental health
0:43:35 > 0:43:41issues, will the minister make sure that mental health support extends
0:43:41 > 0:43:46to personnel families and that there is also particular focus on
0:43:46 > 0:43:54providing support to keep military families together?You are
0:43:54 > 0:43:58absolutely right, it often isn't the person themselves who recognises
0:43:58 > 0:44:03there is a mental health concern but often the partner or husband or wife
0:44:03 > 0:44:09or a family member or may be a comrade in the unit, and this is
0:44:09 > 0:44:12important that we provide the necessary support which we are doing
0:44:12 > 0:44:20but unfortunately there is a stigma of just putting your hand up and
0:44:20 > 0:44:23saying there is an issue but we are moving forward in society and in the
0:44:23 > 0:44:30Armed Forces.The house will want to join the welcoming the visit of a
0:44:30 > 0:44:34distinguished delegation of Canadian Parliamentary is, and our very good
0:44:34 > 0:44:43friends from Canada, thank you. Mr Stephen Hepburn.I'm dealing with
0:44:43 > 0:44:49the sad case of a young man in my constituency who was injured with
0:44:49 > 0:44:52the army and he did not get the treatment he needed because he had
0:44:52 > 0:44:57stepped to the net because of his junior rank. Can I ask the minister
0:44:57 > 0:45:03to review the system is to make sure this doesn't happen in future?You
0:45:03 > 0:45:06are very pertinent in what you say and we should have a robust system
0:45:06 > 0:45:11which is able to make sure that no person is left behind and I would be
0:45:11 > 0:45:15more than happy to speak to the honourable gentleman afterwards to
0:45:15 > 0:45:19recognise what more can be done to help this individual but in mind of
0:45:19 > 0:45:26the guests, can I say thank you to the Canadians, we held a conference
0:45:26 > 0:45:29on mental health and veterans issues last year where we were able to
0:45:29 > 0:45:34compare notes to better improve all of our contributions and our support
0:45:34 > 0:45:42to our Armed Forces personnel and veterans.Emma Harding.Sadly some
0:45:42 > 0:45:45veterans returned from service with mental health conditions and are
0:45:45 > 0:45:49faced with a shameful lack of resources to help them transition
0:45:49 > 0:45:52back to civilian life and find employment and I'm very proud that a
0:45:52 > 0:45:59local charity in Hull provides them with much-needed support and a
0:45:59 > 0:46:05voice, will the minister join in celebrating the work they do but
0:46:05 > 0:46:09will he also commit to providing our veterans with all the support they
0:46:09 > 0:46:13need for transition that they desperately need?You are absolutely
0:46:13 > 0:46:20right. We are doing mock with our transition intervention service --
0:46:20 > 0:46:24we are doing more work. To make sure the needs of the individuals are met
0:46:24 > 0:46:27as they make the transition from being in the Armed Forces to being a
0:46:27 > 0:46:31veteran and can I also pay tribute to this charity, there are many
0:46:31 > 0:46:34charities that do huge work across the country, some small and some
0:46:34 > 0:46:41large, but all making a important effort.Topical questions, doctor
0:46:41 > 0:46:49Caroline Johnson.I would like to thank our Armed Forces are doing an
0:46:49 > 0:46:52incredible job in supporting those affected by the recent treachery is
0:46:52 > 0:47:00whether across the UK -- treacherous weather. They hand and 28 service
0:47:00 > 0:47:04personnel and 124 vehicles and a Chinook helicopter operating in
0:47:04 > 0:47:09Cumbria have transported staff, delivering critical care and
0:47:09 > 0:47:14services to and from hospitals and delivered medicines to vulnerable
0:47:14 > 0:47:16people in the community and assisted police in evacuating members of a
0:47:16 > 0:47:23public stranded in vehicles. My department of the Armed Forces stand
0:47:23 > 0:47:29ready to assist for any further calls for support.Thank you for
0:47:29 > 0:47:32that statement and I would like to put on record my thanks to the Armed
0:47:32 > 0:47:37Forces who came out in Lincolnshire to support us over the last few
0:47:37 > 0:47:40days, and the physical fitness of our service men and women is
0:47:40 > 0:47:47extremely important, yet sports facilities at RAF crown well are
0:47:47 > 0:47:50currently in a poor state of repair, and I've received correspondence
0:47:50 > 0:47:55from constituents regarding the Astroturf, can you confirm whether
0:47:55 > 0:47:59these will be repaired and will he asked the minister responsible to
0:47:59 > 0:48:06come and see for himself the fitness and facilities which need repair.
0:48:06 > 0:48:15May I generally remind you, topical questions need to be much shorter.I
0:48:15 > 0:48:20can absolutely promise that my friend is going to visit and he will
0:48:20 > 0:48:24also take part in the assault course as part of his visit but let's make
0:48:24 > 0:48:31it clear, this is the member for Bournemouth East and at the member
0:48:31 > 0:48:34for South Staffordshire who will be doing the assault course. -- and
0:48:34 > 0:48:46not.I'm sure that is very reassuring for the nation!After it
0:48:46 > 0:48:53was admitted that the drone policy is misleading, is it the policy of
0:48:53 > 0:49:01the UK Government to kill people outside war zones?Our department
0:49:01 > 0:49:04and our Armed Forces always operate within the letter of the United
0:49:04 > 0:49:11Kingdom and international law but does our Armed Forces stepped up to
0:49:11 > 0:49:16keep our country safe from terrorists safe question yes, they
0:49:16 > 0:49:20do, and I'm proud of the amazing work they do in keeping this country
0:49:20 > 0:49:27safe and I hope the honourable gentleman is also.Would my
0:49:27 > 0:49:33honourable friend congratulate the British Army for the work they have
0:49:33 > 0:49:39done in Malawi working with the Malawi government because the ivory
0:49:39 > 0:49:44trade, we have seen a reduction from 4000 elephants ten years ago to now
0:49:44 > 0:49:522000, something needs to to be done about it and they are doing it.Our
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Armed Forces are playing a variable denial in training ranges to stop
0:49:55 > 0:50:02this while trade in ivory poaching -- very important role. We have been
0:50:02 > 0:50:05able to extend this scheme and we will continue to do this going
0:50:05 > 0:50:09forward, working with local governments right across Africa,
0:50:09 > 0:50:16making sure these majestic animals like elephants are projected.
0:50:16 > 0:50:22Uniformed cadets like those of my constituency do an amazing job of
0:50:22 > 0:50:26producing well rounded and empowered young people, and can I invite the
0:50:26 > 0:50:30Secretary of State to look at the funding that is provided to our
0:50:30 > 0:50:33uniformed cadets across government, which clearly offer a much better
0:50:33 > 0:50:39value for money than some other government funded youth programmes.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44I hope he will also pay to be to the 126,000 cadets that we have in the
0:50:44 > 0:50:48country, this is a wonderful introduction into our Armed Forces,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50also giving confidence to youngsters, Bible look at individual
0:50:50 > 0:50:56cases, charities are involved in different ways in supporting our
0:50:56 > 0:51:00cadets and I'm happy to meet with him afterwards -- I will look at
0:51:00 > 0:51:08individual cases.We have a new scheme encouraging veterans to
0:51:08 > 0:51:13retrain as teachers, and this is another example of how we are trying
0:51:13 > 0:51:19to plug the skill gap.We have the most amazing resource in the Armed
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Forces which are our people and we want to give them the best
0:51:22 > 0:51:26opportunities as they leave the Armed Forces and the bursary scheme
0:51:26 > 0:51:29offering up to £40,000 for them to train as teachers is a great
0:51:29 > 0:51:34opportunity and our Armed Forces are often have amazing technical
0:51:34 > 0:51:37expertise they are able to bring straight to schools and benefit
0:51:37 > 0:51:44generations in the future.Mr speaker, under a better defence, the
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Secretary of State plans to close the state-of-the-art medical
0:51:48 > 0:51:52facilities in York and the upgraded First Division headquarters, can he
0:51:52 > 0:52:00say how much this is costing the taxpayer?You will be aware that the
0:52:00 > 0:52:05UK and the MOD owns 2% of the land in the UK and there is a
0:52:05 > 0:52:10rasterisation programme to make sure that we have affordable housing for
0:52:10 > 0:52:12the future and so bases are being closed and others are being opened
0:52:12 > 0:52:19and also being reinvested, I'm happy to look at the individual case and
0:52:19 > 0:52:23discuss what can be done.What personnel have been reassigned to
0:52:23 > 0:52:31recruitment?There is a contingency plan which we are looking at very
0:52:31 > 0:52:36closely, probably moving about 150 personnel to act as role models on
0:52:36 > 0:52:42the front line for recruiting.There is a great deal of confusion and
0:52:42 > 0:52:44concern around the future basing arrangements for the Army reserve,
0:52:44 > 0:52:49could the minister tell us when we might expect more information to be
0:52:49 > 0:52:55published on this important matter? Is one of the complexities about the
0:52:55 > 0:52:59reserve estate is that much of it is not owned by the Ministry of
0:52:59 > 0:53:04Defence, it is owned by the reserve forces themselves, and this is
0:53:04 > 0:53:10adding complexity but we hope they will update the house in due course.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13Do you agree that the further set of defence commitments reached by the
0:53:13 > 0:53:18Prime Minister and Emmanuel Macron in January represent a deepening of
0:53:18 > 0:53:23this important relationship but also a strengthening of Nato?The
0:53:23 > 0:53:30cooperation that our country has with France is second to none and in
0:53:30 > 0:53:33terms of the Anglo-French summit it signposts and important development
0:53:33 > 0:53:37in that relationship not just in terms of operations going forward
0:53:37 > 0:53:42but also about how best we can collaborate in terms of our defence
0:53:42 > 0:53:49industries as well.Nick Smith.How well is the latest Army recruitment
0:53:49 > 0:53:55campaign going?We mentioned earlier, I think we have seen some
0:53:55 > 0:53:58improvement in recent weeks, the numbers are increasing and that is a
0:53:58 > 0:54:08positive sign.Will my honourable friend join me in congratulating the
0:54:08 > 0:54:13company who have just got the contract for the building of the new
0:54:13 > 0:54:19type 26 figure?I'm very glad to congratulate the company, the type
0:54:19 > 0:54:2426 is a great flagship for the Navy and again we see UK industry
0:54:24 > 0:54:28providing components for the type 26, an example of the way in which
0:54:28 > 0:54:31the MOD is contributing to innovation and growth in the UK
0:54:31 > 0:54:36economy.
0:54:40 > 0:54:49Carol Monaghan.The National Audit Office has revealed the cost of the
0:54:49 > 0:54:54dreadnought programme has now risen by nearly £1 million, Candy said
0:54:54 > 0:54:58Terry of state confirmed that there will be no further cuts to
0:54:58 > 0:55:03conventional forces to meet the rising costs of Trident question not
0:55:03 > 0:55:12-- can the Secretary of State.Yes, our nuclear defence programme is
0:55:12 > 0:55:16within budget and there will be no impact as we saw to our civilian
0:55:16 > 0:55:26capability.The Daily Telegraph reports grave concerns about the
0:55:26 > 0:55:32Iraq fatalities investigations unit, will the minister urgently reviewed
0:55:32 > 0:55:36the case of Robert Campbell and offer reassurance that the bond of
0:55:36 > 0:55:40trust between soldiers and the government remains intact?You make
0:55:40 > 0:55:46a very powerful point and this is not about process, this is about
0:55:46 > 0:55:50people and it is about the government's obligation to look
0:55:50 > 0:55:53after people and where they find a balance between supporting our
0:55:53 > 0:55:57service personnel and veterans but equally the right of Iraqi families
0:55:57 > 0:56:03to find out what happened to their loved ones, and the Iraq totality
0:56:03 > 0:56:05investigation can't lead to a criminal investigation but I will
0:56:05 > 0:56:14look very carefully at what you say -- Iraq fatality.Can the secretary
0:56:14 > 0:56:17of state confirmed that Trillium was the largest provider of services for
0:56:17 > 0:56:23the MOD and whether there are any gaps -- confirm that Carillion was
0:56:23 > 0:56:30the largest provider.In the joint ventures that we were involved in,
0:56:30 > 0:56:35there were agreements that were put forward ahead of time to make sure
0:56:35 > 0:56:38that if one of the partners were to step back the other would continue
0:56:38 > 0:56:41the work and that is exacted what has happened right across the board
0:56:41 > 0:56:46with the MoD. -- exactly.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50Will my right honourable friend paid tribute to UK peacekeepers in South
0:56:50 > 0:56:55Sudan and elsewhere across the world?I would very much like to pay
0:56:55 > 0:56:59tribute to the amazing work our Armed Forces do in terms of keeping
0:56:59 > 0:57:04peace in so many areas, South Sudan being a perfect example. It also
0:57:04 > 0:57:09goes to show what an amazing impact all our Armed Forces have in
0:57:09 > 0:57:16projecting Britain's global influence in all parts of the globe.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19What assessment has the Secretary of State carried out for the
0:57:19 > 0:57:24preparedness of our Armed Forces for any expansion in the Syrian war,
0:57:24 > 0:57:26given the conflict, the proxy conflict between Russia and America
0:57:26 > 0:57:33in Match Zone?On this side of the house we have always recognised that
0:57:33 > 0:57:38it's very important to be fully engaged into what is happening in
0:57:38 > 0:57:42Syria and Iraq and we will continue to look at that exceptionally
0:57:42 > 0:57:46closely. I am incredibly honoured that our Armed Forces are playing a
0:57:46 > 0:57:51vital role in degrading the Daesh terra cults, and that's what we will
0:57:51 > 0:58:02continue to do going forward.What protections have been made for trade
0:58:02 > 0:58:07in our important economy?He's right to highlight the issue. The Ministry
0:58:07 > 0:58:12of Defence is responsible for one of the largest customers of UK plc. We
0:58:12 > 0:58:17support more than 20,000 positions throughout the UK and it's clear the
0:58:17 > 0:58:20Ministry of Defence contributes significantly to the prosperity
0:58:20 > 0:58:25agenda across the UK.The incidence of traumatic brain injury among the
0:58:25 > 0:58:28Armed Forces is much higher than it is even in the general population.
0:58:28 > 0:58:32How will we make sure that every single member of the Armed Forces
0:58:32 > 0:58:38who has such an injury gets the full rehabilitation they require?The
0:58:38 > 0:58:41honourable gentleman is absolutely right, we want to measure we have
0:58:41 > 0:58:45the necessary support for all those affected. The question is to whether
0:58:45 > 0:58:48they are higher than the general population, but the new process we
0:58:48 > 0:58:54are putting forward, and the helpline launched last week by the
0:58:54 > 0:59:00defence minister helps us to cover that promise.Reports suggest that
0:59:00 > 0:59:05the near 100,000 who wanted to join the Army last year, only 7500
0:59:05 > 0:59:09actually made it, in part because of time delay. What can be done to
0:59:09 > 0:59:14streamline recruitment process?My honourable friend makes a valuable
0:59:14 > 0:59:19point. We have identified that one of the key problems we face is that
0:59:19 > 0:59:22time-lag between application and a listing in the Army. That's the main
0:59:22 > 0:59:26focus of work at the moment to shorten the period to get the
0:59:26 > 0:59:34maximum number of people through the system.Why has the mechanised
0:59:34 > 0:59:39infantry vehicle programme not that an acquisition strategy, never mind
0:59:39 > 0:59:44the contract, with only three years to go, when it could optimised
0:59:44 > 0:59:48vehicles back to Newcastle.I can assure the honourable lady
0:59:48 > 0:59:55announcements will be made before the end of the financial year.The
0:59:55 > 0:59:59parents of Corporal Simon Miller are yet to receive justice for their son
0:59:59 > 1:00:04who was one of the red Caps murdered in Iraq in 2003. I have written to
1:00:04 > 1:00:08ministers over many years on this issue. Will the Minister agree to
1:00:08 > 1:00:12meet with me and the Miller family to see if there can be some justice
1:00:12 > 1:00:21they receive for their son?I would be delighted.Will the Minister
1:00:21 > 1:00:23commits to following the Scottish Government's lead and commit to
1:00:23 > 1:00:31lifting the public sector pay cap for Armed Forces workers?What we
1:00:31 > 1:00:38are looking at doing is how we reduce the effect of the Scottish
1:00:38 > 1:00:45Government's Nationalists' tax on service personnel. 70% of service
1:00:45 > 1:00:48personnel serving in Scotland are having reduced pay as