Defence Procurement System 2022-11-07
2022-11-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
An assessment was requested on the effectiveness of the UK's defence procurement system, following reports of significant waste.
What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system given that it has wasted £15 billion of taxpayers' money on mismanaged procurement since 2010?
The right hon. Lady has obviously lapped up the Labour Front Benchers' dodgy dossier on defence procurement, double-counting figures. However, significant steps have been made to change and reform this system, ensuring that MOD came in on budget for its overall budget last year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address how to deal with waste directly; focused on defending against accusations of double-counting.
Defending Against Accusations
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A question was asked regarding the Ministry of Defence's waste of taxpayers' money on defence procurement, with emphasis on £5 billion wasted since 2019.
It has been reported that MOD wasted £5 billion on mismanaged procurement since 2019. Might the Secretary of State just set out in more detail how he is going to deal with such waste and stop it from happening?
I am afraid that the right hon. Lady has obviously lapped up the Labour Front Benchers' dodgy dossier on defence procurement, double-counting figures and making no reference to the £4.5 billion overspend under previous Labour Government. Complex processes are involved in defence procurement, and significant steps have been taken to reform them.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a detailed plan for dealing with waste; defended against accusations instead.
Defending Against Accusations
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A supplementary question was raised about the Type 26 frigate, a world-beating design exported to Canada and Australia but delayed due to issues with BAE Systems.
Given that it took BAE Systems 11 years to build a ship the Japanese can build in four, why is the Type 26 frigate's entry into service now delayed from October 2027 to October 2028 and will cost an additional £259 million?
Supply chain challenges post-covid have affected the schedule, leading to a delayed entry into service by one year with an additional cost. The MOD has visited manufacturers to grip situations and ensure prime contractors deliver according to contracts.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on how future delays will be prevented.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A question was asked regarding General Dynamics' report on the Ajax programme's progress, particularly concerning noise and vibration issues.
Can the Secretary of State confirm that a solution to the noise and vibration issues in the Ajax programme has been found?
User validation trials for the Ajax programme have been completed, and results are being looked at. The next phase of trials will begin soon.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if there is a solution to noise and vibration issues.
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
A supplementary question was raised about plans to invest in and enhance the UK's sovereign defence manufacturing capability.
What are my right hon. Friend's plans for further investment in our sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities, which provide strategic benefit and jobs?
Over £23 billion will be invested in UK's land capabilities over the next 10 years. Land and defence security industrial strategies aim to support a sovereign supply chain where possible, ensuring investment in skills and getting best social value.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A question was raised about the MOD's delay in signing a contract for next-generation light anti-tank weapons, essential both for Ukraine and UK Army restock.
When will the MOD sign a contract to make new UK-produced NLAWs needed for Ukraine and British Army restock?
I did not say in evidence that it was with Thales that I placed a contract for NLAW replacement, and many other people can give us access to NLAWs.
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Assessment & feedback
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
A question was asked regarding the UK's nuclear defence expenditure in financial year 2021-22 and its impact on operational capacity and other underfunded priorities.
Confirm the amount spent on the defence nuclear enterprise in FY 2021-22, and the cost to operational capacity, equipment procurement, service accommodation, and all other underfunded UK defence priorities?
We need to try to ensure that we find funding to fund all those capabilities, and we must ensure at the time of placing a contract that we have certainty in the costs overall, to make sure there are no overruns.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The SNP MP references the £6.6 billion funding for the UK's independent nuclear deterrent, questioning its independence given reported dependency on the United States.
The Secretary of State never answered my question because he was not listening to it. The answer is £6.6 billion to fund what we hear is the UK's independent nuclear deterrent. I have a well-honed view of what independence looks like, and it does not look like going cap in hand to the United States for its development of the W93 nuclear warhead. Will he explain what is independent about the UK's nuclear dependency on the US?
What is not independent? The SNP Government in Scotland placing a contract for ferries in Turkey. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we cannot ask the Americans to develop a nuclear weapon for us; it must be done sovereignly.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about independence of UK's nuclear deterrent was not answered directly.
Changing Subject To Criticism Of Snp
Response accuracy