Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Quin and Owen Thompson

Monday 7th December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

I suspect that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the CSEU report on shovel-ready projects, which I commend. It is always good to have advice from those quarters, and indeed, many of them are already ongoing. I gently remind him, however, that the report praised the German Government for increasing spending by €10 billion to €12 billion over the next few years. It also praised the French—I think the French Minister has been asked to go before the Assemblée Nationale with an extra €1.5 billion, or around that number. That does not bear any comparison with our £24 billion investment in defence over the next few years. That is the biggest single boost to defence over the past 30 years, and it will mean a lot of orders coming through, to the benefit of British defence, the British armed forces, and British firms across the Union.

[Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP)]

What discussions he plans to have with the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to the conclusion of the integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Quin and Owen Thompson

Monday 2nd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

There are elements of programmes that are being brought forward. The prime focus now, however, is on supporting the cash flow of the companies and suppliers. We have the means of doing so and we have been doing so. We have also been encouraging primes to support their own supply chains. From what I hear from trade bodies, that has been happening. I am pleased by the way the whole of industry has leant in during this ongoing pandemic and the support they have been given right the way across.

[Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP)]

What assessment he has made of the potential threat of international disinformation to the security of the UK.