Asked by: Mark Tami (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) maintenance, (b) repair, (c) overhaul and (d) upgrade work relating to the F-35 programme his Department has awarded to Sealand Support Services Limited; and what timescale those contracts cover.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Sealand Support Services Limited (SSSL) has been assigned by the US Government as a Maintenance Repair Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) service provider for F-35 Lightning aircraft components. SSSL is currently going through the stand-up and activation stage to become an 'Approved Supplier' to Lockheed Martin and is negotiating the contracts that will underpin the MRO&U workload. Consequently, there are no contracts currently in place.
Asked by: Mark Tami (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the principle of replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research, what plans there are to reduce the size of the breeding colony of marmosets at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The size of the Dstl marmoset breeding colony is under constant review by veterinary staff, independent inspectors and the Dstl Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body, following the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research (the 3Rs). Accordingly, the breeding colony is maintained at the minimum size consistent with future research needs and maintaining suitable genetic diversity.
Asked by: Mark Tami (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the market analysis undertaken by his Department in advance of the announcement made by his Department of 3 October 2018 of the commencement of exclusive discussions with Boeing on the replacement for the Sentry fleet.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 October 2018 to Question 177235 to the hon. Member for Llanelli (Ms Griffith).
Asked by: Mark Tami (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement, Wedgetail is on the radar, Defence Secretary announces ahead of NATO conference, published by his Department in October 2018, what proportion of the (a) workshare; and (b) jobs are planned to be based in the UK in the event that the E7-Wedgetail is chosen as the replacement for the Sentry fleet.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
While a final investment decision has not yet been made, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with Boeing to ensure they explore how Britain's defence industry could also benefit from any procurement. Boeing has confirmed that it would plan to establish an assembly line in Cambridge for the integration of the radar and aircraft, and that it would be their intent to use such a line to fulfil orders for other nations should they be secured. Through-life, we anticipate that support and training would be undertaken within the UK, directly leading to UK jobs.
Asked by: Mark Tami (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the workshare for support and maintenance contracts for the Wedgetail fleet he plans to be undertaken by UK-based companies.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
While a final investment decision has not yet been made, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with Boeing to ensure they explore how Britain's defence industry could also benefit from any procurement. Boeing has confirmed that it would plan to establish an assembly line in Cambridge for the integration of the radar and aircraft, and that it would be their intent to use such a line to fulfil orders for other nations should they be secured. Through-life, we anticipate that support and training would be undertaken within the UK, directly leading to UK jobs.