Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

AUKUS Submarines

Monday 30 January 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve McCabe asked about the timeline for creating highly skilled jobs in Scotland, England, and the Midlands as promised in the AUKUS deal, to which the Secretary of State responded that they are waiting for Australia's decision and are confident in the job creation promises for Barrow-in-Furness.
  • Simon Fell thanked the Secretary of State for the effort in securing the AUKUS agreement, noting the importance of retaining a strategic edge in nuclear submarine capability.
  • Andrew Bridgen inquired about steps being taken to strengthen and broaden the AUKUS alliance, to which the response highlighted the focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence and hypersonics to complement submarine deployment and enhance collective security.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
Defence Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact of AUKUS deal on UK job creation and seeks specific information.

Question

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that AUKUS submarines are built in the UK. I am concerned about ensuring that the AUKUS deal leads to highly skilled jobs in Scotland, England, and Midlands as promised.

Answer from Ben Wallace

We said there would be an 18-month study programme. We are waiting for the Australian Government's decision on AUKUS. I am confident that all statements made about job creation in Barrow-in-Furness will turn out to be true. The number of jobs in Barrow is increasing from 10,000 to 17,000 to fulfill both the Dreadnought programme and Britain's attack submarines.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timeline for job creation

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Q2 Steve McCabe Lab
Defence Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP seeks specific locations and timing of job creation under AUKUS deal.

Question

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. He will be aware that when the former Prime Minister made his statement on the AUKUS deal back in September 2021, he promised hundreds of highly skilled jobs in Scotland, England and Midlands. When does the Secretary of State think these jobs will be created?

Answer from Ben Wallace

We said at the time that there would be an 18-month study programme where we work out both design and work share for this submarine. We are waiting for Australia's decision on AUKUS. I am confident that all statements made about job creation in Barrow-in-Furness will turn out to be true.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timeline for job creation

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Q3 Simon Fell
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP highlights the strategic importance of AUKUS and its role in securing a new geo-political agreement with Australia.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for the considerable effort that his Department, the Government and the Navy have put into securing this important agreement. It was heartening to see representatives from the Royal Australian Navy at the commissioning of HMS Anson and to hear the announcement that Australian submariners will be training on that vessel. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this agreement is crucial for a new geo-political and strategic agreement with Australia?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Barrow-in-Furness, Devonport and Faslane are key components in delivering our nuclear submarine capability. When Australia chose to go for nuclear submarines as an option, it did so because there were about five countries that could do this. We recognise the importance of retaining a strategic edge in the Pacific.

Answered
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Q4 Martin Docherty SNP
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questions the feasibility of achieving the UK's aim to be the European partner with the broadest presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Question

The AUKUS deal was supposed to be the defining agreement for the Indo-Pacific tilt. Given today's news and the fact that historic defence cuts and inflation make high hopes harder to fulfill, will it still be the UK's aim to be the European partner with the broadest presence in the Indo-Pacific?

Answer from Ben Wallace

It is our ambition. Two of the planks of AUKUS are already in place. The US investment has lasted 70 years, and we plan another carrier strike group visit in 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify if it will still be an aim

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Q5 Andrew Bridgen Con
Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

The MP asks about the steps being taken to strengthen and broaden the AUKUS alliance.

Question

What steps is my right hon. Friend's Department taking to further strengthen and broaden the AUKUS alliance?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The second pillar of AUKUS includes things such as artificial intelligence, hypersonics, cyber and all sorts of other technologies critical not only to complement the deployment of submarines but to further engage our collective security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps being taken

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Q6 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The MP discusses the importance of AUKUS for deepening alliances, strengthening security in Indo-Pacific, and bringing investment to Britain.

Question

This week I will be meeting the Australian Defence Minister discussing AUKUS with him. I want him to know that while there may be a change of UK Government at the next election, there will be no change in Britain's commitment to AUKUS. What priority has the Defence Secretary given to building the first subs here and when will the build plan be announced?

Answer from Ben Wallace

AUKUS makes good security sense, even if past Labour Government did not recognise it. Australia's decision on time, capability, location for building subs will come in March or February.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify UK priority or timeline

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