Modernising Defence Programme Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Modernising Defence Programme

Douglas Chapman Excerpts
Tuesday 18th December 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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I congratulate Robertson on the work it is doing. We are making a £400 million investment in RAF Lossiemouth, one of the biggest investments of its kind anywhere in the UK, and I know my hon. Friend has fought hard to get that level of investment in his constituency. This is not just about creating armed forces jobs in his constituency; it also has a wide-ranging benefit to the whole economy that brings prosperity to the whole region.

Douglas Chapman Portrait Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife) (SNP)
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Both the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee have asked serious questions about the Department’s ability to deliver savings, keep projects on track and remain within budget. As the MDP adds even more entries to the list of tasks expected of our service personnel, may I ask where the cuts will come from and when we can expect to see that list, should the Department not be able to win more money from the Chancellor?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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We have made clear that we are not looking at making capability cuts in the MDP; we have been looking at how we invest in our armed forces and new capabilities.