Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Integrated Review

Monday 16 March 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Ministry of Defence supports the integrated review through four workstreams and regularly reviews its progress.
  • The National Cyber Security Centre works with the MOD, businesses and other Government parts to strengthen weak points exploited by hostile states.
  • The review will prioritise prosperity and manufacturing, aiming to give armed forces the best equipment while ensuring industry invests competitively.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley Central
Defence
Context

The integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy is underway, aiming to ensure Britain's role on the global stage.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to prepare for the integrated review? Does he think it is feasible to conduct a comprehensive review resulting in major reforms given current challenges?

Answer from The Prime Minister's Minister of State, Ben Wallace

The Ministry of Defence supports the integrated review through four workstreams and regularly reviews its progress. The decision to pause or continue is subject to current conditions, such as the coronavirus situation.

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Q2 Stephen Morgan Lab Aberavon
Defence Science & Technology
Context

There are concerns about the cyber-security standards of defence supply chains and their vulnerability to exploitation.

Question

What steps are being taken to improve cyber-security provisions for MOD contracts given reports of low standards in some supply chains?

Answer from The Prime Minister's Minister of State, Ben Wallace

The National Cyber Security Centre works with the MOD, businesses and other Government parts to strengthen weak points exploited by hostile states. We patch vulnerabilities and ensure prime contractors take responsibility.

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Q3 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Defence Economy
Context

The integrated review may recommend increasing the defence budget beyond 2% of GDP.

Question

If the integrated review concludes that more than 2% of GDP is needed, will he fight to secure extra funding?

Answer from The Prime Minister's Minister of State, Ben Wallace

Agrees with the need for more funding if required. Achieved 2.6% in the previous year's short spending review, one of the highest departmental growth figures.

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Q4 Stephanie Peacock Lab North East Somerset
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

There are travel bans worldwide, leaving many British citizens stranded and seeking assistance.

Question

Will the military be deployed to help people return home in light of increasing numbers of stranded Britons and limited Foreign Office support?

Answer from The Prime Minister's Minister of State, Ben Wallace

Military personnel have supported return flights from Wuhan. We deploy assets where possible but follow medical guidance and consider destination country cooperation.

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Q5 James Sunderland Lab Workington
Defence Business & Trade
Context

There is a desire to ensure the strategic defence and security review aligns with a strategy that prioritises British manufacturing.

Question

Will the strategic defence and security review be aligned to a defence industrial strategy placing British manufacturing at its heart?

Answer from The Prime Minister's Minister of State, Ben Wallace

The review will prioritise prosperity and manufacturing. It aims to give armed forces the best equipment while ensuring industry invests competitively.

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