Modernising Defence Programme

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Alan Mak

Tuesday 18th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

We are encouraging all British shipyards to bid for all ships that we will be procuring.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend commit to supporting the small and medium-sized enterprises that lead much of the innovation in the defence tech sector?

Combat Air Strategy

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Alan Mak

Tuesday 17th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

We always look at how we can do the very best for delivering for British industry, and at how to make sure that we have the capabilities that the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the British Army need to do their job.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

Havant-based Lockheed Martin has worked successfully with my right hon. Friend’s Department to deliver the new F-35 jet. Will he ensure that the new combat air strategy benefits the south coast, and will he come and join me in meeting those involved in the F-35 programme?

[Gavin Williamson]

Over the past few days, I have had the privilege of having discussions with the chief executive of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is an important industrial partner for us, providing a great number of jobs and a great deal of investment in the United Kingdom. I would certainly be happy to join my hon. Friend on such a visit.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Alan Mak

Monday 23rd April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

As has been pointed out, there is currently no defined international agreement, and that is something towards which we need to work rapidly. I am very committed to trying to reach that agreement at the earliest possible stage.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with military charities on improving support for veterans throughout the UK.

Modernising Defence Programme

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Alan Mak

Thursday 25th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

We are one of the most active nations in making sure we bring peace right across the globe. We have a great history and we should take great pride in everything we have achieved in the past, and I have no doubt we will achieve in the future. But we have to understand that people who are threatening Britain do not respect weakness; if we were to disarm, or get rid of our nuclear deterrent, or diminish or get rid of our conventional forces, that would make them no less likely to attack us. We have to have an effective deterrent, and that is not just a nuclear deterrent; it is a conventional deterrent as well.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

Innovative defence technology firms, particularly in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, can play an important role in making sure our armed forces have access to the best possible equipment. As my right hon. Friend’s review proceeds, will he ensure that SMEs’ role in procurement is seriously considered?

[Gavin Williamson]

My hon. Friend has done a lot of work on the fourth industrial revolution, and we must ask how we can harness those new technologies to give our military the constant advantage going forward. The battlefield is changing incredibly rapidly, and if we can work with SMEs, we need to do more of that because some of the greatest and most innovative ideas come from those businesses. I appreciated the time my hon. Friend took to speak with me about some of the work being done in his constituency of Havant and look forward to working with him further to make some of those ideas a reality.