Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 13th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on NATO’s 2% GDP spending target.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Harriett Baldwin)]

Ministers have regular discussions with international counterparts on NATO’s 2% of GDP spending target. It is important that all NATO allies meet the 2% commitment they made at the Wales summit in 2014.

[Nigel Huddleston]

Will the Minister name which NATO allies do not currently spend 2% of GDP on defence? What reasons or excuses have they given for that?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to encourage innovation by defence suppliers.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Harriett Baldwin)]

With a rising defence budget and an equipment plan worth £178 billion over the next 10 years, we are renewing our capabilities. We spend up to 20% of our science and technology budget on research, and we have launched an £800 million innovation fund.

[Nigel Huddleston]

The Minister will be aware that the Ministry has a reputation among some suppliers of being somewhat challenging to work with. What is she doing to try to improve working relationships, particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises, including many of the defence industry suppliers in Worcestershire?

[Harriett Baldwin]

My hon. Friend and constituency neighbour is absolutely right that it can be challenging to work with Ministry of Defence procurement processes. We are particularly keen to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to apply for business with us. We want to increase the level of our spending that we procure from small businesses from 19% to 25%. Acting on direct feedback from small businesses, we have introduced a network of supply chain advocates to help smaller businesses through the maze of defence procurement, and their contact details are available to my hon. Friend and other Members on request.