Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage the use of small and medium-sized businesses in its defence procurement process; and what steps he is taking to improve the resilience of the defence supply chain.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply-base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent recognises our intention to foster a more diverse community of suppliers and will prompt a refresh of our SME Action Plan. Alongside this, the Department is undertaking other initiatives to strengthen its supply-chain resilience, including securing access to critical materials, components and technologies, and a first-of-its-kind wargame to explore how industry and the MOD could sustain personnel on the frontline when faced with constant supply chain disruption.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a public sector organisation that has signed the Armed Forces Covenant may be removed as a signatory if the organisation has acted in contravention of the obligations and principles laid out in the Covenant.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Organisations not fulfilling their pledge can have their Armed Forces Covenant status reviewed.
Concerns should initially be raised directly with the organisation in question, by following their standard complaints process. Complaints that remain unresolved can be referred by the complainant to the relevant ombudsman.
Enquiries and complaints about Covenant signatories can also be directed to the Ministry of Defence via: afcovenant@rfca.mod.uk