Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Philip Dunne and Nick Smith

Monday 4th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

12. What account his Department takes of the social and economic effects of its procurement decisions in the UK.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Dunne)]

Last year, we published the White Paper, “National Security Through Technology”, setting out the purpose of defence procurement—namely, to provide our armed forces with the best capabilities we can afford while obtaining the best possible value for money. The Ministry of Defence makes a significant contribution to the UK economy—approximately £20 billion of annual spend sustaining many highly skilled jobs in communities the length and breadth of Britain—but we also support the defence industry in the UK through active help in export campaigns and in supporting the defence growth partnership, where we share its vision to secure a thriving UK defence sector.

[Nick Smith]

It is good that the NATO summit will be held in Newport in Wales next year. Will the Minister please update me on the procurement of the Scout vehicle, which is important for jobs in the south Wales valleys?

[Mr Dunne]

I add my support to the hon. Gentleman’s efforts to ensure that the NATO summit in Newport is a great success next year. The Scout vehicle is proceeding in its demonstration phase and has passed a number of milestones. As he is aware, it is due to be delivered as part of Future Force 2020. I will not be able to give him an update on the next placing of contracts until such time as the main investment case has been made.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Philip Dunne and Nick Smith

Monday 17th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Dunne]

As the hon. Gentleman will know from his work on the Defence Committee, the orders for the aircraft will depend on the capability requirements of the customer nations. Italy is the European nation that is already procuring the same variant as we are; other nations that have declared an interest thus far have different capability requirements.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

How many joint strike fighter aircraft do the Government plan to have operable by 2020?

[Mr Dunne]

The Government will make their decisions on the next substantial order by the time of the strategic defence review. We expect to place an order for the first squadron this autumn, so by 2020 we are talking about an expected order of 48 aircraft.