Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Edward Leigh Excerpts
Monday 19th February 2024

(10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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I know the hon. Lady is very passionate about this issue. I have just listed the ways in which the individual services are taking steps to reduce their emissions, but we always have to balance that against our overwhelming priority as a Department, which is to support the ability of our armed forces to defend these islands.

Edward Leigh Portrait Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)
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15. What steps his Department is taking to support innovative defence technologies.

James Cartlidge Portrait The Minister for Defence Procurement (James Cartlidge)
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Defence is investing over £6.6 billion in advanced research and development. We are working with UK industry and academia to identify and invest in innovative technologies, ensuring that we have the capabilities we need to defeat our adversaries.

Edward Leigh Portrait Sir Edward Leigh
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The RAF has traditionally had a very poor record when it closes bases in Lincolnshire—just walking away, leaving them to go to rack and ruin—but at RAF Scampton we had wonderful schemes for innovative defence technologies, such as a spaceport. Will the Minister now work with the Home Office and me to try to release the bulk of that base so that we can get all these exciting technologies going? The MOD cannot just wash its hands of the base, now that it has been passed to the Home Office. We are supposed to have joined-up government.

James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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My right hon. Friend makes an important point. As he knows, RAF Scampton is no longer part of the defence estate, which means we do not have formal responsibility for it. What I would stress to him is that we are investing in innovation in Lincolnshire, including the significant investment into RAF Waddington associated with our Protector capability.