Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Carswell and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Carswell and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 12th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP)]

12. If he will make it his policy to co-operate with NATO members at the concept and assessment stage of the procurement cycle for the Type 31 frigate.

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

While we must maintain the UK’s freedom of action to operate independently, interoperability with our NATO allies is fundamental to virtually all UK defence capabilities. For the general purpose frigate, the Royal Navy is already exploring how that could be delivered, and considering how the ship will operate within NATO.

[Mr Carswell]

Does the Minister agree that opening up more of the procurement process to a broader range of suppliers, and avoiding any hint of protectionism, may make it possible to keep the cost of replacing our frigates low?

[Harriett Baldwin]

The hon. Gentleman takes a close interest in defence procurement issues, and I know that, like the rest of the House, he will be eagerly anticipating Sir John Parker’s national shipbuilding strategy, which he has committed himself to publishing before the autumn statement. In that context, the hon. Gentleman will obviously be aware that complex warships can only be built in the United Kingdom.