Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rotary Wing Enterprise

Monday 19 February 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Caroline Dinenage highlighted the importance of military helicopter maintenance at Fleetlands in Gosport for local economic development.
  • The Minister confirmed an upcoming announcement regarding the new medium-lift helicopter project, addressing a delay since September 2022.
  • The rotary wing enterprise programme aims to enhance aircraft availability and modernize support solutions within current budgets.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Defence Employment
Context

Fleetlands in Gosport has been the home of military helicopter maintenance for over 65 years, providing skilled engineering work crucial for local economic development and job creation.

Question

Mr Speaker, as you know, Fleetlands in Gosport has been the home of military helicopter maintenance for more than 65 years. This highly skilled engineering work is really key to levelling up the area, providing much-needed jobs and opportunities. Does the Minister agree that the MOD's rotary wing enterprise and new medium helicopter programme would benefit greatly from these generations of expertise and skills right there in Gosport?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I know from my recent visit that my right hon Friend is a champion not only for defence in her constituency but for defence jobs in particular. She is right about StandardAero Fleetlands which is a valued actor in the maintenance of our rotary wing platforms. The rotary wing enterprise is due to enter its detailed design this year. As part of that, it will consider wider social value including the extent to which economic prosperity is supported. But as this is a specific potential procurement, I cannot comment any further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific benefits for Fleetlands and procurement details were not addressed directly

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Q2 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Defence
Context

The Government have delayed producing the information required for the invitation to negotiate for the new medium-lift helicopter four times since September 2022, causing a significant delay. This delay is concerning given recent reports of capital spending freezes.

Question

The Government have delayed producing the information required for the invitation to negotiate for the new medium-lift helicopter four times since September 2022. Can the Minister explain what has caused this 18-month delay? Given the reports last week about his Department freezing capital spending until at least the new financial year, when will the Government get their act together to get this competition under way? Can he promise that the delay will not push back the delivery date for this vital capability for our forces?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I am pleased to say two things to the hon Lady. First, we will have the announcement on the next stage of the new medium helicopter very soon. I am also pleased to confirm that we have been clear on our spending position. To echo my right hon Friend the Minister for Defence People and Families if the hon Lady wants to talk about stuff that is rumoured in the press we do not have those sorts of capital spending controls can she confirm whether the shadow Chancellor will honour our defence spending commitments?

Not addressed: The specific delay and procurement concerns were not directly addressed

How: Redirecting To Labour'S Stance On Defence Spending

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Q3 Maria Eagle Lab Liverpool Garston
Defence
Context

The rotary wing enterprise programme aims to improve aircraft availability across support solutions for Apache, Chinook, Merlin and Wildcat from within existing budgets. The programme seeks to drive synergies between platforms, modernise support solutions, and pursue delivery-focused commercial mechanisms.

Question

What plans he has for the future of the rotary wing enterprise?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The rotary wing enterprise programme seeks to improve aircraft availability across support solutions for Apache, Chinook, Merlin and Wildcat from within existing budgets. It will do so by driving synergies between platforms modernising support solutions and pursuing delivery-focused commercial mechanisms.

Answered
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