Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Mills Excerpts

Monday 8th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[James Cartlidge]

I can confirm that I held my first small and medium-sized enterprise roundtable in Larne in Northern Ireland, where I met a number of Northern Ireland SMEs, which are integral to our industry. Just before Christmas, I met Thales, which is responsible for the NLAW and a number of other important munitions that have been used in Ukraine. That underlines the importance of supporting our British armaments industry.

[Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to help protect shipping routes through the Red sea.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

6. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Royal Navy in protecting merchant shipping routes in conflict zones.

[Nigel Mills]

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer, and those in our armed services for their work protecting these important routes. Can he update the House on his discussions and work with our international partners to de-escalate the tensions, so that we do not need all the protection work and can go back to the normal free flow of trade?

[Grant Shapps]

As my hon. Friend will know, the Houthis have been causing havoc in that part of the Red sea, in particular attacking ships. There was a 500% increase in attacks on maritime shipping from November to December, showing that there is no direct connection to the wider conflict in the region but a decision by Houthis to attack free trade. That is unacceptable. We are working with our partners, through Operation Prosperity Guardian and other measures, to tackle it.