If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. My first months as Defence Secretary have strengthened my long-held belief that we need to strengthen our national defence as the world grows ever-more dangerous.

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. Will he add his thanks to volunteers such as Trevor Simcock, Mal Mullet and Chris Smith, who work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission locally in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke? Ahead of the Armistice Weekend, I was proud to join them at Burslem cemetery with my daughter Amelia to clean the headstones of 130 of our brave and fallen heroes. Will he add his thanks and come to visit those great volunteers?

The Defence Secretary said recently that, despite middle east tensions, we must not forget about Ukraine. I welcome that statement, but the UK's leadership on support for Ukraine is flagging, so will Wednesday's autumn statement, as a minimum, confirm the commitment to match this year's £2.3 billion in military aid funding for next year?

What assessment has the Defence Secretary made of the strategic importance to UK national security, and indeed that of the United States, of retaining British sovereignty over Diego Garcia?

I am proud that my constituency is home to hundreds of armed forces personnel and their families and former families, but as Members on both sides of the House have mentioned, last winter far too many of them found themselves living in accommodation that simply was not fit for purpose. Can the Minister confirm how we will be getting tough with the contractors who are letting down our families this winter, and can we have some clarity on when all armed forces families will finally be able to live in homes that are fit for their heroes?

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we are more secure as a country when the world is a safer and more peaceful place, and that a successful two-state solution for the Israel and Palestine question is therefore a part of our own national security too?

Labour Party research on waste in the Ministry of Defence shows that over £15 billion has been squandered since 2010, so when are the Government going to get a grip on defence procurement and secure value for money for the British taxpayer?

May I take this opportunity to formally welcome the Secretary of State to his position? I am grateful for his comments on military accommodation being a priority for him. The Select Committee is undertaking an inquiry into that as well. One of the issues that has come up is the absence of a military uniformed accommodation officer who is responsible for continually inspecting accommodation and then liaising with the contractors to ensure that the repairs take place. Is that something my hon. Friend the Minister will consider?

In 2022, 11.2% of British Army recruits were women; that is down from 12.6% in 2020. In 2021, 9% of recruits were from ethnic minority backgrounds, down from 11.7% in 2020. What is the Secretary of State doing to urgently remedy this reduction in diversity?

The Defence Select Committee's inquiry into women in armed forces noted progress but unacceptable culture. 60 female senior civil servants made allegations of abuse; would the Minister comment?

The Ukraine conflict highlights the need for a thriving defence industry. Will the Secretary of State now revisit his predecessor's policy of placing orders abroad, especially concerning the FSS ships built in foreign yards?

Rock Barracks houses the excellent 23 Parachute Regiment. Despite investment in new accommodation, people are let down by Pinnacle; constituents fear retaliation for complaints. Will the Minister visit to fix this problem?

60% of homes with damp and mould will get support, but what about the other 40%, and can we commit to a minimum standard for service accommodation?

Will the Minister confirm that the Ministry would never put serving personnel at risk by putting an open camp for illegal migrants in a serving base, and can we get a closed detention centre instead?

Has the MOD made further payments to General Dynamics beyond £480 million in March, and why are subcontractors not being paid as expected?

Will the Minister meet me to discuss Christy Aerospace and Technology, which can dramatically reduce training time for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s?

Ian Bernard, a constituent, served in RAF and witnessed nuclear tests on Christmas Island. He has not received his nuclear veteran's medal; can that be rectified?

Local mosques in Bolton are collecting donations, yet there seem to be major problems in getting those donations and aid into Gaza. What discussions is the Department having with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Israeli Government about ensuring that those donations get to those most in need? Not doing so will only escalate the conflict.

Defence Ministers will be aware that the situation in Kosovo is deteriorating dramatically. Can the Secretary of State give us an assurance that the current international military presence there is sufficient to counter any threat from Belgrade?

This weekend we witnessed the third attack in a year on a commercial vessel in international waters. The cargo ship Galaxy Leader has been described by the Israeli Government as British owned and Japanese operated. What actions will the Minister take to prevent such acts of terrorism on British vessels?

Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997 receive a lower pension than other British soldiers. Will the Minister update the House on the current negotiations between the UK and the Government of Nepal to solve that difficult issue?

The great south-west region is home to cutting-edge defence companies such as Supacat, which makes military vehicles for our armed forces. The Jackal 3 is an incredible vehicle that is being put to good use in Ukraine. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that more defence jobs come to the south-west?

We must ensure that Putin does not win. We must co-operate and help with the reconstruction of Ukraine. Is it not time that we started seizing Russian state assets to help pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine?

I believe that the ability to make virgin steel is crucial to the UK's defence capabilities. Does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State agree?

The Secretary of State and his predecessors rightly called out the wanton and unlawful destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine—homes, hospitals and schools. Why can they not show equal uproar at what is happening to civilians in Gaza?

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is vital that his counterparts in the US Administration realise that if Putin does not lose in Ukraine, the peace and security of the whole of Europe is called into question, so it is in their short and medium-term interests to make sure that Putin is seen to fail?