Oral Answers to Questions

Gagan Mohindra Excerpts

Monday 12th December 2022 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs in the UK.

[Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs in the UK.

[The Minister for Defence Procurement (Alex Chalk)]

The most recent estimate shows that Ministry of Defence investment supports 219,000 jobs in industries across the United Kingdom. Continued high and focused investment in defence, along with the changes that we continue to make as part of our defence and security industrial strategy, will contribute to further economic growth and prosperity across the Union.

[Mr Mohindra]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Ahead of Armistice Day last month, I was contacted by Northwood military headquarters in my constituency to help organise a tour of this place for the submarine service. I thank Captain James Clark and Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces for their help in making that happen. Does the Minister agree that during this time of global turbulence we should do all we can to support and champion the members of our armed forces?

[Alex Chalk]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I pay tribute to him for taking the time to visit the Northwood military headquarters. There are 1,600 active service personnel at Northwood HQ, and their work is crucial to protecting our people, territories, values and interests at home and overseas. He is right to pay tribute to them, and I join him in that.