Defence Funding Efficient Spending 2024-05-20
2024-05-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the efficient use of increased defence spending.
What steps he plans to take to ensure efficient use of increased defence funding.
I am committed to ensuring that the defence uplift to 2.5% means that we spend the money as efficiently as possible. The tremendous work by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on the integrated procurement model is very important to the outcome of that spending.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific steps or timelines were provided for ensuring efficient use of defence funding, only a commitment and mention of ongoing work.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is pleased to hear about the efficient use of defence spending and asks for more details on recent announcements regarding Royal Marine warships.
I am very pleased to hear my right hon. Friend commit to the efficient use of defence spending, which we may not have seen in the past. Will he comment on the excellent example of his recent announcement on saving Royal Marine warships and the fact that this Government have committed to building up to six more for the commandos?
That is absolutely right. It is very important that our Royal Marines are able to continue their activities, so not only will we keep the existing ships running but we have announced that we will build up to six new multi-role ships, which is all part of our programme to build 28 ships.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is asking about the return of HMS Albion artefacts and when the ship will be put to sea again after it was planned for mothballing.
Because of Government plans to mothball HMS Albion, key artefacts from the ship, including the sword of peace, were given to Chester town hall for safekeeping. When would he like the artefacts back? Exactly when is HMS Albion going to be put to sea again?
We never announced that she was being mothballed, so I am very interested to hear about these artefacts. Once again, I can clarify that both those ships—both used by our Royal Marines—will remain in active service.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline for when the ship will be put back into service or details on returning the artefacts were provided.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the efficiency of spending on refitting HMS Argyll, which was then paid off.
Increased defence spending is obviously only a means to an end. It is not an end in itself. The Treasury rightly takes a jaundiced view of the MOD's ability to spend money wisely so, to that end, can the Secretary of State advise the House on how much taxpayers' money and defence budget was spent refitting HMS Argyll, only for her to be paid off immediately after she came out of refit?
There is no way that the Treasury, given its very tight hold on the fiscal regime, would approve spending 2.5% of GDP on defence if it did not have confidence in how we will spend it.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific amount spent was avoided and instead focus shifted to overall confidence in spending decisions.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is upset about not getting an answer to previous questions on HMS Argyll's fate, seeking clarification on who approached whom.
I am unsurprised that I got no answer to my question because I never got an answer to that question on 8 January or to my point of order on 24 March. Will the Secretary of State tell me a different answer: did BAE Systems approach the MOD to buy HMS Argyll, or did the MOD approach BAE Systems?
I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman recognises that my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement has written to him on the subject, and I have no doubt that he will wish to engage with the hon. Gentleman further.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific transaction details were avoided in favor of referencing previous correspondence and future engagement.
Response accuracy