Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase innovation in defence technologies.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Command Paper highlighted the importance of science, innovation and technology in securing strategic advantage for our Armed Forces. Defence is investing over £6.6 billion in advanced Research and Development, and is working closely with UK industry and academia, to identify and invest in innovative technologies to ensure we have the capabilities we need to meet threats.
Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support British shipbuilding.
Answered by Ben Wallace
The National Shipbuilding Strategy supports our ambition to grow the UK shipbuilding enterprise and support UK jobs. Five new T31 frigates being built in Rosyth will support more than 1,000 UK jobs. The Fleet Solid Support contract will create more than 1,200 UK shipyard jobs and Type 26 will sustain over 4,000 jobs across the UK supply chain.
Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What steps his Department is taking to support veterans.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans receive a gold standard of support and the recognition they deserve so that the UK becomes the best place in the world to be a veteran.
Later this year we will publish the next iteration of the Veterans Strategy Action Plan setting how we’ll ensure veterans can lead successful civilian lives, this will build on the steps we have already taken through improved support for employment, housing and access to healthcare.
Asked by: Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent Royal Navy deployments to the Black Sea.
Answered by Ben Wallace
HMS DRAGON and HMS ENTERPRISE have both recently operated in the Black Sea conducting a highly successful programme of regional defence engagement activity with Georgia, Ukraine and Romania. This included joint exercising with the Ukrainian and Romanian Navies to share expertise and knowledge, as well as delivery of a package of maritime interdiction training to the Georgian Coastguard. This is a further demonstration of the UK’s ability to provide reassurance to allies and partners, as well as a deterrent effect across the Euro-Atlantic area.