Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Helicopter Supply Chain

Monday 15 November 2021 · 6 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister of Defence works with the defence industry and cross-Government initiative to enhance supply chain resilience.
  • MOD aims to award the Puma-replacement contract through a competition that prioritizes social value and UK skills.
  • Reforming MOD procurement processes to address longstanding issues and improve efficiency is a current priority.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Loder
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the UK's helicopter supply chain and its impact on defence.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the resilience of the helicopter supply chain in the UK. Specifically, he asks about Leonardo's £1 billion investment proposition for a global centre of military excellence in Yeovil.

Answer from Ben Wallace

We work closely with the defence industry through the defence suppliers forum and are engaged with the cross-Government global supply chains initiative to improve resilience in public procurement. The MOD is investing in emerging technology, utilising the UK's strong industrial and research base. We welcome Leonardo's investment in West Dorset.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how the government will secure more transformational industrial innovation specifically for Leonardo's proposal or future projects.

How: Working Closely With Industry, Utilising Uk Research Base

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Q2 Chris Loder
Defence Employment Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about job protection and skilled jobs for the Leonardo helicopter manufacturing facility.

Question

Will the Government deliver on their responsibility to support workers in rural communities and protect skilled jobs in the United Kingdom? Will he assure the House that the Puma-replacement contract will be awarded to a UK-based company?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The MOD reforms allow us to prioritise social value, including levelling up and UK skills. We welcome Leonardo's investment in West Dorset and aim to listen to all British workers. The new medium-lift helicopter will be awarded through a competition with details provided soon, expected delivery by 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to the Puma-replacement contract going to a UK-based company or explicitly support Leonardo's Yeovil investment proposition.

How: Listening To All British Workers, Reforming Procurement

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Q3 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the MOD's poor track record in meeting procurement targets.

Question

Given that not one of the top 36 MOD procurement programmes worth £150 billion is fully on track, who will accept personal responsibility? When will the Secretary of State bring in the Cabinet Office to clean up the MOD's mess?

Answer from Ben Wallace

While acknowledging repeated procurement problems, I am determined to make reforms. We will get on top of these issues with tight timetables and enforcement. Meetings can be held to discuss solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify when or how the Cabinet Office would intervene in MOD procurement processes.

How: Determined To Get On Top Of Issues, Willing To Meet

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Q4 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the MOD's track record in fulfilling contracts and the impact on procurement.

Question

Why, given the evidence that the MOD has difficulty in fulfilling its contracts, is he confident that the new medium-lift helicopter will be ready by 2025? How long will it take for the Ministry of Defence to address NAO reports?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I am confident about 2025 due to expected bidders providing mature products with European content. Defence procurement programmes are long-term, changing plans mid-way incurs costs or delays.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how the Ministry will take NAO reports seriously and act on them immediately.

How: Expected Bidders With Mature Products, Long-Term Procurement Impacts

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Q5 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP is pleased about Leonardo's £1 billion investment proposition for a global centre of military excellence in Yeovil.

Question

I welcome Leonardo's investment in West Dorset and in UK manufacturing as a whole. The defence and security industrial strategy will ensure that the UK can continue to have competitive, innovative and world-class defence and security industries. The MOD is investing in emerging technology, utilising the UK's strong industrial and research base.

Answer from Ben Wallace

The MOD is committed to competitive, innovative defence industries. We welcome Leonardo's investment in West Dorset and aim to utilise UK's strong industrial base.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly commit to supporting Leonardo's specific Yeovil investment proposition.

How: Commitment To Competitive Defence Industries, Utilising Uk'S Strong Industrial Base

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Q6 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Defence
Context

The defence procurement landscape has raised concerns about the replacement of the ageing Puma fleet with a new medium-lift helicopter by 2025. There are multiple contractors interested in this contract, including Airbus and Leonardo.

Question

If the defence procurement landscape were more positive, we might have some confidence in the Secretary of State's reassurances, but 2025 is not far away. Can he prompt the procurement exercise for the new medium-lift helicopter to replace the ageing Puma fleet, or at least clarify the pedestrian progress of this operational priority to date? Multiple 'primes', including Airbus with its 175M and Leonardo, will be looking to compete for this work as well as US contractors. We need to be able to scrutinise these contractors and their bids sooner rather than later to ensure that, no matter who wins this contract, the economic impact is enjoyed across these islands and not simply in the south-west of England.

Answer from Ben Wallace

I hear what the hon. Gentleman says. He will know from the shipbuilding industry in Scotland that there is a huge benefit for shipbuilding in Govan, Scotstoun and Rosyth. I am very keen to make sure that all the prosperity of the defence pound is spread around the United Kingdom. Lots of jobs are attached to all different types of projects whether they are 'primes' or supporting contracts through things such as radar and sonar.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request about prompting the procurement exercise for the new medium-lift helicopter or clarifying its progress.

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