Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Maggie Throup

Monday 8th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

As I have just announced, my right hon. Friend has made that policy decision. I also remind the hon. Gentleman that we have significant orders in UK shipyards. There is 20 years of work on the Clyde, for example. I cannot think of any other industry in the UK that can say that it has 20 years of work on its order books.

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

12. What plans she has to mark the anniversary of VE Day.

--- Later in debate ---

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

T4. Given the increasing threat that drones pose to our national security, as recently highlighted by the insightful BBC documentary “Britain’s Next Air Disaster”, what assessment has my right hon. Friend made of our armed forces’ ability to respond to a potential drone strike, and what investment is her Department making in new technology to rapidly neutralise such threats?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Stuart Andrew)]

My hon. Friend raises an important point, and the MOD takes the threat of the nefarious use of drones very seriously. Using the defence transformation fund, we are working with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, international partners and industry to further develop our counter-drone capabilities, and of course they will be used to protect defence infrastructure wherever they are needed. More broadly, a lot of the responsibility for protecting other sites in the UK lies with the police, but we will always be there to help if needed.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stuart Andrew and Maggie Throup

Monday 20th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

The hon. Gentleman mentions the Type 31. Of course, that is a UK-only competition and we will wait for the results later this year. On the fleet solid support ships, I am pleased that a UK consortium is in there. I can confirm that Fincantieri has withdrawn from the competition, but I am not going to comment on any other entrants, because it is purely speculation at this stage.

[Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)]

T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.