Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Procurement

Monday 26 June 2023 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated the defence procurement system has seen a one-year reduction in average programme duration over two years.
  • Minister rejected claims that UK steel is unsuitable for defence procurement, asserting that appropriate steel must sometimes be sourced internationally.
  • Minister affirmed the importance of domestic industrial capacity in the defence and security industrial strategy, emphasizing the need to support British industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Defence
Context

The MP inquired about the current state and performance of the UK's defence procurement process.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We are driving the delivery of capability to the frontline. Over a two-year period to December 2022, we have seen a one-year reduction in the average programme duration, but we can do more to improve and are committed to learning the lessons of the Sheldon review.

Answered
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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Defence
Context

The MP questioned the Defence Secretary's claim that UK steel was unsuitable for specific requirements, suggesting this is not accurate and calling for a guarantee to use domestically produced steel.

Question

On 13 March, the Defence Secretary told me that UK steel was not specified in defence procurement because 'we do not manufacture the type of steel' required. But according to UK steel producers, this is not true as they adjust production lines to match the needs of each contract. Now he knows our steel producers can deliver, will he guarantee to use domestically produced steel in defence procurement?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I do not accept that. I am happy to write to the hon. Member with the details. Our position is that, obviously, we want to use UK steel and we recognise its quality, but there will be cases where the appropriate steel has to be sourced from elsewhere. Ultimately, we have to deliver the equipment required for our capability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee to use domestically produced steel in defence procurement

How: I Do Not Accept That

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Q3 John Spellar Lab
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP criticised the Secretary of State's reluctance to strengthen domestic industry in response to Russia's invasion, questioning why a similar approach is not taken.

Question

Why, when every major military-industrial power is focused on building domestic industrial capacity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he is stubbornly refusing to do the same. His previous answer on steel shows again that the mindset has not changed. Why will he not back British industry and British military resilience?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I am happy to be Mr Nice Guy when it comes to British industry. A central tenet of the defence and security industrial strategy is that industrial capacity is part of our defence capability. I am absolutely clear about that. Of course we want to have a strong domestic industry. There are occasions when acquisition has to be undertaken at pace and, as we have seen in getting equipment out to Ukraine, we have had to be flexible in how we source that equipment. But we are absolutely committed to a strong industrial base for defence, both at SME level and with our primes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Refusal to bolster domestic defence industries

How: We Want To Have A Strong Domestic Industry

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Q4 Jack Lopresti Con
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked for measures to support the UK's defence suppliers by enforcing a prompt payment code.

Question

Will my hon. Friend look at how the MOD can support the UK's domestic supply chain by requiring prime contractors to adhere to a 30-day payment code for all defence suppliers, regardless of where they sit in the supply chain?

Answer from James Cartlidge

My hon. Friend is a champion of SMEs and makes an excellent point about prompt payment. I can assure him that the MOD has a standard contract term that requires primes to pay suppliers within 30 days. Like him, I want to see our SMEs supported.

Answered
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Q5 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Defence
Context

The MP asked for a guarantee to ensure workers have a reporting mechanism when issues arise, citing the example of problems with Morpheus and Ajax.

Question

When I asked the Minister for Defence Procurement to give a statement on the Sheldon review two weeks ago, he recognised the importance of workers to the defence industry. We have already heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) about the problems of Morpheus, which is now rated red by the MOD; the problems we had on Ajax are emerging on Morpheus. What guarantee is the Minister putting in place to ensure workers have a system for reporting back so that issues are reported, listened to and acted upon?

Answer from James Cartlidge

As I said in the statement, I recognise the unique angle the hon. Gentleman has on this issue because the factory in question is in his constituency. I stress that the employment of those employees is the legal responsibility of the company. We engage closely with them. One of the lessons learned is about that close engagement at SRO level through Defence Equipment and Support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Implementation of a feedback mechanism for workers

How: This Is The Legal Responsibility Of The Company

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Q6 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Defence
Context

The MP questioned the new Minister for Defence Procurement about their plan, following the previous Minister's work on a similar plan.

Question

Sadly, he moved on before he could implement that plan, so can I ask this latest Minister for Defence Procurement, does he have a plan? What will be the first evidence of that plan that our weary service personnel and taxpayers might see?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his praise for my brilliant colleague, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk), who is now Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chancellor, no less. Absolutely, we have a plan, and that plan must take into account the lessons from the Sheldon review. In taking on this job, I recognise that there has been huge focus on Ajax, but I hope the fact that Ajax is now with the Household Cavalry for regular field training is a symbolic moment that shows we are turning the corner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details of the plan and its first evidence

How: We Have A Plan, But No Specifics

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Q7 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns over delayed progress in key defence projects such as the new medium-lift helicopter tender, Type 32 or Type 31 successor announcements, and the lack of responsible procurement for ground-based anti-aircraft missile systems.

Question

How has he challenged the pedestrian progress towards the next phase of the new medium-lift helicopter tender? What is the delay with the Type 32 or Type 31 successor announcements? Why does his element of defence not procure ground-based anti-aircraft missile systems to protect these islands in a more responsible way?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The hon. Gentleman has ranged a long way, from air to ground. The key element is to strengthen our speed and agility, whatever the platform in question. Some of the platforms he refers to are at a conceptual phase. I am committed to driving pace because, although times are improving overall, ultimately we do not want to have the delays we have had in some notable programmes. We need pace because that is how we maintain our competitive edge against our international adversaries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on delays and challenges faced in key defence procurement processes were not provided, nor was there any commitment to address these issues specifically.

How: Ranged A Long Way, Platforms Are At Conceptual Phase

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