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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 22 Nov 2021
Channel Crossings in Small Boats

"(Urgent Question): To ask the Home Secretary to make a statement on the channel crossings in small boats...."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 22 Nov 2021
Channel Crossings in Small Boats

"Some 25,700 people have risked their lives in these most dangerous shipping lanes this year alone. As the Home Secretary knows, the Government have already spent more than £200 million of taxpayers’ money on deals with the French authorities that are not working. The situation is getting worse. Will the …..."
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Written Question
UK Border Agency: Shipping
Thursday 18th November 2021

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to replace in full the existing Border Force fleet of five cutters and six coastal patrol vessels; and whether she has made an estimate of the cost of replacing those cutters and vessels.

Answered by Damian Hinds

The Budget on 27 October 2021 announced funding of £74m over the spending review period for the replacement of Border Force’s current fleet of five Cutters and six Coastal Patrol Vessels. [The full cost of the programme, including beyond the SR period, is being developed]

Reflecting this we are taking steps to initiate a delivery programme which will include a strategic assessment of how best to maintain and enhance these capabilities.

The procurement process will support operational delivery, wider government objectives and value for money. It will be conducted in line with all relevant legislation and agreements and will appropriately reflect the nature of Border Force operations. My officials continue to work closely with the National Shipbuilding Office, which is leading activity on the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy.


Written Question
UK Border Agency: Shipping
Thursday 18th November 2021

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the procurement process for the replacement of the UK’s cutter and coastal patrol vessel fleet will be covered by the warships exception set out in Item 47 of Annex 4 of the coverage schedules certified as part of the UK’s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.

Answered by Damian Hinds

The Budget on 27 October 2021 announced funding of £74m over the spending review period for the replacement of Border Force’s current fleet of five Cutters and six Coastal Patrol Vessels. [The full cost of the programme, including beyond the SR period, is being developed]

Reflecting this we are taking steps to initiate a delivery programme which will include a strategic assessment of how best to maintain and enhance these capabilities.

The procurement process will support operational delivery, wider government objectives and value for money. It will be conducted in line with all relevant legislation and agreements and will appropriately reflect the nature of Border Force operations. My officials continue to work closely with the National Shipbuilding Office, which is leading activity on the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy.


Written Question
UK Border Agency: Shipping
Thursday 18th November 2021

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to seek a UK supplier for the replacement of the Border Agency’s existing cutter and coastal patrol vessel fleet.

Answered by Damian Hinds

The Budget on 27 October 2021 announced funding of £74m over the spending review period for the replacement of Border Force’s current fleet of five Cutters and six Coastal Patrol Vessels. [The full cost of the programme, including beyond the SR period, is being developed]

Reflecting this we are taking steps to initiate a delivery programme which will include a strategic assessment of how best to maintain and enhance these capabilities.

The procurement process will support operational delivery, wider government objectives and value for money. It will be conducted in line with all relevant legislation and agreements and will appropriately reflect the nature of Border Force operations. My officials continue to work closely with the National Shipbuilding Office, which is leading activity on the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 20 Oct 2021
Security Update

"I thank the Home Secretary for the advance briefing before the statement and for the time that I know she has taken to speak to many Members of the House on an individual basis.

We are brought together this evening in the most devastating circumstances. We were all shaken to …..."

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

"I first met Sir David Amess when I entered this House in 2015 and he approached me, as a new Member, to ask how I was and how I was settling in. That conversation captured the essence of Sir David, who was a kind, thoughtful and generous man, always cheerful …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Oct 2021
Oral Answers to Questions

"I am grateful for that answer. The awful murder of Sir David follows the dreadful murder of our friend Jo Cox, an attack on my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms), a plot to kill my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) and …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 21 Sep 2021
Salisbury Incident 2018: Update

"I am grateful to the Home Secretary for her statement and for giving me advance sight of it. I am also grateful to the Minister for Security and Borders, the right hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds), for the advance briefing yesterday.

The use of a nerve agent, a …..."

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 13 Sep 2021
Afghanistan Policy

"I thank the Minister for her statement, and for advance sight of it. I also thank her for the briefing that was given to me by her and the Security Minister, and I welcome her to the Dispatch Box. However, given this vital work of leading on the Afghanistan resettlement …..."
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