Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

AUKUS Strategic Partnership

Monday 14 October 2024 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is fully committed to the AUKUS partnership and hosted the first AUKUS Defence Ministers' meeting outside the US on 26 September.
  • The Government is working across departments and with local councils and BAE Systems to invest in Barrow and its shipyard.
  • More work is needed to address the fragility of the international supply chain for computer chips supporting UK military capabilities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Foreign Affairs
Context

The AUKUS partnership between the UK, US, and Australia is under scrutiny.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of progress on the AUKUS strategic partnership?

Answer from Luke Pollard

The UK is fully committed to the AUKUS partnership. On 26 September, the Secretary of State hosted the first AUKUS Defence Ministers' meeting outside the US. During that discussion, he provided direction and guidance to accelerate our taking advantage of the opportunities that this landmark partnership presents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assessment or progress details

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Q2 Michelle Scrogham Lab Barrow and Furness
Defence Employment
Context

The importance of a cross-departmental approach to support the AUKUS deal in Barrow and Furness is highlighted.

Question

Will he comment on the importance of that broad approach, which aims to make Barrow an even better place in which to live, work and raise a family, and will he meet me to discuss that further?

Answer from Luke Pollard

Both the Secretary of State and I have visited Barrow to see not only the incredible innovation in the shipyard there, but the amazing workforce who are putting together the nuclear submarines. The Government are indeed working across Departments, and with the local council and BAE Systems, to invest heavily in development of the shipyard and submarine facilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or timelines for meeting

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Q3 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Defence
Context

A recent AUKUS Defence Ministers communiqué outlined an investment of £7 billion from the UK, highlighting the need for a secure industrial base.

Question

Will the Minister expand on his answer to the right hon. Member for New Forest East and describe how this investment in our defence capabilities will strengthen supply chains in places such as Billingham?

Answer from Luke Pollard

We are working together with industry to deliver a new defence industrial strategy, in particular to strengthen our resilience and innovation and to harness expertise, including in my hon. Friend's constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on supply chain impact or investment amounts

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Q4 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Defence
Context

AUKUS partners have been discussing potential bilateral engagements.

Question

What bilateral discussions the UK has had on this?

Answer from Luke Pollard

Those conversations have been taking place at official level within the Ministry of Defence and at political level, and we are continuing to work to bring those forward because if we want to buy the high-end war-winning kit that we need, the best way of doing that is to work with our partners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or progress on discussions

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Q5 Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove
Defence Science & Technology
Context

There are increasing geopolitical threats, raising concerns about the computer chip supply chain.

Question

In light of the increasing geopolitical threats that we face, can the Minister give an update on the adequacy and resilience of the computer chip supply chain that backs up the UK military?

Answer from Luke Pollard

The hon. Member is right to highlight the fragility of the international supply chain in that area. More work is needed in this area, but we are acting on it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific update or assessment on adequacy and resilience

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