Topical Questions

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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding recent reports of an approach taken by my Department with a media outlet. Managing information is challenging, particularly where hostile states use disinformation to subvert our security interests and our policymaking.

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Will my right hon. Friend congratulate the Rolls-Royce workforce on their sterling support of our defence capability, as well as recommending their services to other Government Departments? The Rolls-Royce distributed generation systems plant provides mission-critical power generation for our armed forces and is now expanding into other sectors.

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Can he confirm this afternoon when he expects that review to be completed? Just 79 people were invited to yesterday's battle of Britain commemoration inside Westminster Abbey, rather than the 2,200 planned. Will the Secretary of State say what special guidance he will give to make sure ceremonies at cenotaphs across the country can go ahead safely and respectfully?

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Does he agree that unless its influence is curtailed, the IRGC will continue to be a major threat to the safety and security of British forces? Will he address this in the upcoming integrated review?

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Is this really the way we should treat our military personnel? My constituent wrote to me about a lack of support his brother had received while serving. He has written twice to the Ministry of Defence but only an email from my office was replied to nine months after the first correspondence.

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As you are well aware, Mr Speaker, BAE Systems plays an integral role in the economy of Lancashire. May I ask the Secretary of State to continue to push for an integrated approach to acquisition in the air sector so that the groundbreaking work on Tempest is at the core of future plans for our outstanding Royal Air Force?

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The Ministry of Defence has a live firing range near Cape Wrath in the north-west of my constituency. Running through the firing range is a road, which is popular with visitors and locals alike. The road is in bad nick. Would the Ministry of Defence be willing to put its hand in its pocket to help get the road done up?

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Potholes are on the minds of my constituents, but they are not what I have in mind when I ask this question. Will my right hon. Friend give an update on the support that his Department has provided to the civil authorities in London in dealing with the covid outbreak?

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The GMB union estimates that by placing the Fleet Solid Support order with UK shipyards, the Treasury could see up to £285 million of the £800 million contract returned in taxes. The award of the contract could have long-term benefits for the shipbuilding sector and the wider economy. Will the Government support GMB's call for the FSS order to be placed in UK shipyards?

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Will the Minister update us on the progress of the digitisation of Veterans UK?

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I must first declare an interest, as my husband is a veteran and South Lanarkshire Council's veterans champion. The council has been doing fantastic work and has now agreed cross-party to implement a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans, as many find it very difficult to gain employment after leaving the forces. Is that positive development something that the Veterans Minister could take forward with local authorities—indeed, all levels of government across the UK—to ensure that there is a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans?

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Earlier this year, I met councillors and residents in Kirton Lindsey who want to repurpose Vincent hall as a community gym. The Department has been incredibly helpful so far. Will it continue to work with me to bring forward that excellent plan?

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May I press the Secretary of State further on the Fleet Solid Support ships? As EU regulations are no longer the excuse—if they ever really were the reason—why will the Secretary of State not commit today not only to build those ships in British yards, but to get a move on?

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Having served in the UK armed forces, I know what a rewarding career it can be. Covid has created many challenges in terms of not just health, but the hit on the economy and the pressure on employment. Many people are probably now looking at ways to supplement their income. Would my hon. Friend therefore redouble his efforts to encourage young people to consider a career in our reserve forces?

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The Secretary of State recently stated that the Ministry of Defence's greatest asset was not tanks or aeroplanes, but its people. However, over the last decade, the Conservative Government have proceeded to make huge cuts to the level of armed forces personnel, and there has been a corresponding decrease in morale within the armed forces, going down from 60% in 2010 to 45% in 2020, so will the Secretary of State commit to finally putting a stop to these cuts to our brave armed forces?

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I have recently spoken with the founder of the Combat2Coffee project in Ipswich, which does vital work supporting local veterans' wellbeing. One of the key issues that he and other veterans are facing is the bureaucratic and sometimes distressing health assessments that they have to go through to get the pensions and benefits that they are entitled to. Will my hon. Friend look at streamlining this process to make sure that veterans living with challenges such as PTSD are not put off accessing the support they deserve?