Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Awarding of Defence Contracts

Monday 10 January 2022 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bob Seely inquired about steps taken to ensure open competition for MOD contracts and raised concerns specifically for Wight Shipyard Co.
  • Bob Seely asked for assurance that MOD contracts are fairly tendered to all contractors, including smaller firms.
  • Dave Doogan requested a commitment to build fleet solid support ships in Scottish and UK yards using UK steel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Seely Con
Defence Business Compliance
Context

The MP is concerned about the transparency and accessibility of MOD contracts for domestic contractors.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that contracts awarded by his Department are subject to open competition and accessible to domestic contractors. Wight Shipyard Co. in my constituency recently raised with me its concern about the niche criteria and very short timeframes for the Ministry of Defence's special purpose ship contract.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The defence and security industrial strategy provides a more flexible approach to determine the right acquisition strategy for any given capability. Where tenders are used, they are designed to be fair, open and accessible to domestic contractors. My hon. Friend is an assiduous advocate for the Island and he was right to raise this issue with me before Christmas. I looked into it and have written to him on the subject. The requirement is for an existing vessel that can enter service very quickly. It has attracted a significant degree of interest from a wide range of suppliers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific concern about niche criteria and short timeframes was not directly addressed with concrete measures to improve accessibility.

How: Flexible Approach, Looked Into It

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Q2 Bob Seely Con
Defence
Context

Wight Shipyard Co. raised concerns about niche criteria and short timeframes for the MOD's special purpose ship contract.

Question

Will my hon. Friend reassure me that all MOD contracts are fairly given out and fairly tendered to all contractors in the country, including smaller contractors such as Wight Shipyard?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

My hon. Friend is an assiduous advocate for the Island and he was right to raise this issue with me before Christmas. I looked into it and have written to him on the subject. The requirement is for an existing vessel that can enter service very quickly. It has attracted a significant degree of interest from a wide range of suppliers, and they will have to compete along the lines outlined.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific issue about niche criteria was not directly addressed with concrete measures or timeline for improvement.

How: Looked Into It

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Q3 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP notes the significant private investment made by BAE and Babcock in Scottish shipyards, including advanced manufacturing processes and apprenticeships.

Question

Will he now commit to rewarding that investment by unequivocally ensuring that the fleet solid support ships are built in whole, not in part, in Scottish and, if necessary, other UK yards, and categorically commit to using UK steel?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I think the hon. Gentleman should pay tribute to what this Government are doing in terms of investment in shipbuilding. We are a phenomenal investor in shipbuilding. BAE and Babcock are doing a tremendous job, with a huge number of ships coming through the production line. I am not going to prejudge a tender—that would completely contradict what I said in my previous remarks.

Not addressed: The specific ask about building ships entirely in Scottish and UK yards was not addressed directly, instead praising general investment without commitment.

How: Not Prejudging A Tender

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