Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts
Monday 18th July 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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1. What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs.

Jacob Young Portrait Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)
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15. What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs in the UK.

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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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Not in the Defence team, Mr Speaker. We shall leave that to others.

The Ministry of Defence’s sustained investment in industries across the UK supports over 200,000 jobs. Continued high and focused defence spending, supported by the changes we are making as part of the defence and security industrial strategy, will contribute to further economic growth and prosperity across the Union.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith
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It is good to see that you are in fine, typical wit despite the heat, Mr Speaker.

As my right hon. Friend said, the UK defence sector is vital for jobs, the defence of this country and our allies, such as the Ukrainians, against Russian aggression. I am very proud of the contribution of Thales, which is located in my constituency. What is his Department doing to encourage defence contractors such as Thales to expand to meet this country’s increasing defence needs?

Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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My hon. Friend asks an important question. Last week, I met the Defence Suppliers Forum, which includes Thales. We work closely together not only to indicate potential investments by defence in what we would need, but to make sure that we both meet our future requirements. Thales UK is one of Britain’s biggest and most advanced defence companies. Its NLAW—next generation light anti-tank weapon—systems are being used in Ukraine. I congratulate him on posing a question on Thales.