Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Carswell Excerpts

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mike Penning]

As the Minister for the Armed Forces, or for ops, it is very appropriate for me to ask the House to join me in wishing everyone in our armed forces, and their families and loved ones, a very merry Christmas. We all hope that they will come home safe.

[Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP)]

T7. Does the Minister support Sir John Parker’s recommendation that the construction of the Type 31 frigate be opened up to a much wider range of defence contractors, rather than just BAE Systems, and that in doing so we can end the defence cartel and embrace more competition?

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

I thank the hon. Gentleman for having read that excellent report, for which we thank Sir John Parker. The Government will respond to his 34 recommendations in spring 2017.