Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that Frigate support ships are built in Britain.
Answered by Ben Wallace
This Government is firmly committed to the UK’s shipbuilding enterprise. In my role as Shipbuilding Tsar, and chair of the Shipbuilding Inter-Ministerial Group, I regularly discuss with my Cabinet colleagues how we can put in place the conditions for success in the sector.
The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme seeks to maximise the social value contribution shipbuilding can make in the UK, including encouraging investment in domestic shipyards, whilst balancing the need to deliver value for money. As stated previously, the final contract for the manufacture of the FSS ships will be awarded to a UK business, either solely or as part of a consortium. I would like to reiterate that a significant proportion of the build work will be carried out in the UK: the entire final assembly of the ship will take place in a UK shipyard and that FSS is an exciting opportunity for UK workers.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department paid to AWE Management Limited when Atomic Weapons Establishment was returned to Government control as an Arm's Length Body on 1 July 2021.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The decision taken by the Ministry of Defence to trigger the Termination for Convenience clause with AWE Management Limited to transition AWE plc into an Arms-Length Body did not incur a penalty cost.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has set a limit on the consolidated pay offer for staff at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
As a public sector arms-length body, a pay mandate has been agreed with Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) plc. The AWE plc Board have responsibility for negotiating pay arrangements with its employees. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific terms of the mandate.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there have been delays to the delivery of Boxer.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
UK Boxer Production is underway. Global supply chain pressures, which are not unique to defence, remain a risk to the programme. Whilst this has caused some early production delay, we remain confident that vehicles will be in the hands of the user from 2023 onwards en route to meeting the approved Initial Operating Capability of 2025.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is on track to receive the first Boxer vehicles in 2023.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
We are on track to receive the first Boxer vehicles from 2023.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects Boxer to reach Initial Operating Capability.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 October 2022 to Question 59082 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Mark Francois).
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what impact the retirement of Warrior will have on the capabilities of the Armed Forces.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Under Future Soldier and the Land Industrial Strategy, the Army is conducting widespread modernisation of its capabilities in order to maintain its operational outputs and to contribute to the defence, security and prosperity of the nation.
The intent remains to withdraw Warrior from service from 2025. Current capabilities, which include Warrior, will remain effective until new concepts and capabilities are introduced into service throughout the decade.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department still intends to retire Warrior in 2025.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Under Future Soldier and the Land Industrial Strategy, the Army is conducting widespread modernisation of its capabilities in order to maintain its operational outputs and to contribute to the defence, security and prosperity of the nation.
The intent remains to withdraw Warrior from service from 2025. Current capabilities, which include Warrior, will remain effective until new concepts and capabilities are introduced into service throughout the decade.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans he has made if no replacement for Warrior is ready when it is retired in 2025.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Under Future Soldier and the Land Industrial Strategy, the Army is conducting widespread modernisation of its capabilities in order to maintain its operational outputs and to contribute to the defence, security and prosperity of the nation.
The intent remains to withdraw Warrior from service from 2025. Current capabilities, which include Warrior, will remain effective until new concepts and capabilities are introduced into service throughout the decade.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made for the implications of his policies of the Integrated Review; and if he will make a Statement.
Answered by Ben Wallace
Defence is supporting the Government's refresh of the Integrated Review. We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our capabilities and prioritise our activities to ensure the UK remains ready to deter adversaries and support UK interests in the new era of strategic competition.
Taking lessons learned from the last year, we will build resilience and promote prosperity both domestically and across our global partner network.
Any specific policy changes required for Defence will be determined once the update to the Integrated Review has concluded.