Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Helicopters: Domestic Manufacture

Monday 21 September 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department supports UK helicopter manufacturing and defence industry broadly.
  • Over the next decade, plans include spending over 180 billion on equipment and support, including 10.9 billion for helicopter capability.
  • Leonardo Helicopters' recent redundancies are not related to MOD work but rather a company decision for financial stability.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Loder
Defence
Context

Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, a major employer, has recently announced redundancies.

Question

What steps he is taking to support the domestic manufacture of defence helicopters. Many of my constituents work for Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, where recent redundancies have been announced. This raises concern about Ministry of Defence (MOD) plans affecting the company's future.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The Department supports UK helicopter manufacturing and defence industry broadly. Over the next decade, we plan to spend over £180 billion on equipment and support, including around £10.9 billion for helicopter capability. The redundancies at Leonardo Helicopters do not relate to MOD work but rather a company decision to maintain financial stability. We continue supporting Leonardo's Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and its export efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to support Leonardo Helicopters were not detailed beyond general industry support and assurances about the redundancies' cause.

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Q2 Chris Loder
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Recent redundancies at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil have raised concerns among constituents about the company's financial health and its future MOD contracts.

Question

Many of my constituents in West Dorset work for Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, where redundancies have recently been announced. This is a matter of great concern to me, my constituents, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil (Mr Fysh). What specific actions is the Minister taking to support this company?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I share my hon. Friend's concern and can reassure him that those redundancies do not stem from MOD plans but rather a company decision for financial stability. We continue actively working with Leonardo on its Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and support its export drives, including recent efforts in Poland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific measures or commitments to support Leonardo Helicopters beyond reassurance about the cause of redundancies.

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Q3 Khalid Mahmood Lab
Defence
Context

The shadow Secretary of State committed to procuring British-made defence equipment and ensuring job security in West Dorset.

Question

Will the Minister ask the Secretary of State to match the commitment made by the shadow Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey), to procure “built in Britain” equipment? This would ensure no redundancies in West Dorset and support awarding the £1.5 billion fleet solid support vessels contract to a British consortium, creating 2,500 UK jobs.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We are proud to support British companies and the entire UK defence sector. Over £19.2 billion was given to UK companies in 2018-19 for our defence needs, delivered through the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS). More details will be shared with the House when it is released later this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to procuring British-made equipment or match the shadow Secretary of State's commitment, instead focusing on past support for UK companies and future plans.

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