Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Heappey and Ruth Jones

Monday 13th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[James Heappey]

The Royal Navy continues to accelerate its drive towards uncrewed capabilities, including remotely operated and fully autonomous systems, and to exploit opportunities for advances in automation technology, both above and below the water. The minehunting capability programme is full of opportunity, and I know that my hon. Friend will want to speak to the Minister for Defence Procurement about the role that businesses in his constituency can play in it.

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

T9. Labour’s dossier on waste in the MOD found that at least £15 billion had been wasted since 2010, and that £6 billion has been wasted since 2019 while the current Defence Secretary has been in post. Can he explain why the Government are failing to get a grip of the defence procurement process to secure value for money for the taxpayer?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Heappey and Ruth Jones

Monday 6th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

What plans his Department has made in the event that the UK does not reach an agreement on its future relationship with the EU by the end of the transition period.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey)]

We want a relationship with the EU that is based on friendly co-operation between sovereign equals and is centred on free trade. We are developing plans to ensure that the critical work of defence continues regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.

[Ruth Jones]

What discussions exactly has the Minister had with counterparts in the EU on how the UK can, where it is in our interest, continue to co-operate with member states to further our collective security?

[James Heappey]

The whole ministerial team talks to our counterparts across Europe regularly in the context not just of Brexit, but of our bilateral and multilateral co-operations through a whole series of organisations and fora. That work will continue whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, because our military partnerships with friends and colleagues across Europe are vital to the security of this nation.