Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Capabilities

Monday 3 February 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK will conduct a comprehensive review of its foreign policy, defence, security, and development focusing on technological advancement and procurement.
  • The UK remains committed to NATO, addressing hybrid threats and cyber issues through recent summit announcements.
  • The government has confidence in the British shipbuilding industry, with investments in Type 31 and Type 26 aircraft carriers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Double Con Newport West
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

Following the announcement of a comprehensive defence and security review, Steve Double inquires about specific steps to ensure military readiness against future threats.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the capabilities of the armed forces are adequate to meet future threats. Now that we have left the EU, what steps is he taking to strengthen our role within NATO for the future?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace

We will conduct a deep review of Britain's foreign policy, defence, security and development focusing on procurement and technological advancement. The UK remains committed to NATO, with recent announcements at the December summit aimed at addressing hybrid threats and cyber issues.

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Q2 John Spellar Lab Coventry North East
Defence
Context

Concerns have been raised about the stability of defence contracts following Brexit, particularly in shipbuilding.

Question

Now that we have come out of the EU, why will the Secretary of State not back our shipbuilding industry, start the new contract and specify that support ships should be built in British yards by British firms?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace

We stopped the competition for future solid support vessels but will investigate why it could not proceed. We have confidence in British shipbuilding industry and investment includes Type 31, Type 26 aircraft carriers delivered on time and budget.

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Q3 Tobias Ellwood Con Bournemouth East
Defence Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

With a new defence review underway, there is interest in the context, timeframe, and parliamentary involvement.

Question

Can I welcome the defence, security and foreign policy review—or the integrated review, as I understand it is to be called? It is a fantastic opportunity to upgrade our defence posture. Could the Secretary of State spell out the context, the timeframe and the parliamentary engagement for the forthcoming review?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace

I welcome you to your new role as Chairman. We will publish review details soon. The review requires honesty from Department, wider Government, Treasury about matching ambitions with funding reality, ensuring long-lasting legacy.

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Q4 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Defence
Context

There is skepticism about the effectiveness of previous reviews due to lack of proper funding, leading to delays.

Question

We have had as many defence reviews as you have had hot dinners. What realistically will the Secretary of State do that is different because every delay costs money and tough decisions ducked does no service?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace

I understand genuine concerns about reviews without follow-through. We will be honest with armed forces on what we can afford, explain global ambitions based on financial reality to whole Government and all Members including your Committee.

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