Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 14th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD)]

I support with enthusiasm this well-timed illustration of European co-operation and hope that it is the harbinger of things to come. May I ask my right hon. Friend a number of questions about the military aspects?

[Mr Speaker]

One question.

[Sir Menzies Campbell]

Who will have command and control of the aircraft? Without going into details, will adequate and proper intelligence be provided? Since the French do not operate C-17s, is it the intention to deploy ground crew in support of the aircraft?

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[Sir Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD)]

May I ask my right hon. Friend about the process of packing up and getting our kit out of Afghanistan and bringing it home? How long will that take? When will it begin and finish? How many troops will be tied up in that logistical task rather than the combat task? How much kit are we going to leave behind?

[Mr Speaker]

That was three or four questions. I shall indulge the former Minister—he is a knighted one, I note—but I know that the Minister will provide a pithy reply.

[Mr Robathan]

That is the second time today that I have been asked more than one question from the Liberal Democrat Benches. My hon. Friend is right to say that the withdrawal of our large amount of equipment in Afghanistan is a big issue. We are in negotiations with the Pakistanis and hope that we will be able to bring a great deal more back through the Pakistan land route than we are currently capable of doing. We expect to bring almost all our equipment out, although some may be gifted to the Afghans when we leave.

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[Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con)]

18. Every new procurement Minister promises the House to get a grip on MOD procurement and the costs arising from our defence industrial base. In the light of the latest National Audit Office report that the cost of the MOD’s major projects has risen by a staggering £6.6 billion and is 39 years delayed, what action is the Minister taking?

[Mr Speaker]

With reference to Scotland, I think.

[Mr Dunne]

My hon. Friend asks what is being done to improve procurement in the MOD. I assure him that it is the top priority for the current year, at least for this procurement Minister. As I said earlier, we do not differentiate between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom when it comes to procurement.

In my view, the most interesting fact to emerge from the report from the National Audit Office was the improving trend in procurement. A reduction was forecast in the delivery costs of 13 of the 16 projects to which it referred, and 70% of the projected overspend relating to the remaining three related to increased fuel costs up to 2035 over which the MOD had no control whatsoever.

[Mr Dunne]

I was in Afghanistan with my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I apologise for interrupting the Minister, but I must remind the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) that he is the leader of his party and a very senior parliamentarian. It ill behoves him—and it is beneath his dignity—to yap across the community like an undisciplined puppy. He must conduct himself with decorum. That is what we expect of him. We look up to him, and we want to continue to do so.

[Mr Dunne]

I was about to explain to the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr Bain) that unfortunately, as I was in Afghanistan with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces last week, I have not had an opportunity to read the report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, to which I gave evidence before Christmas. However, I look forward to reading it, and will certainly look out for the interesting statistic that the hon. Gentleman has revealed.

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[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I gently say to the House that if we are to get through the list, which I would very much like us to do and as we usually do, we now need short questions and short answers?

[Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con)]

T3. I congratulate the Secretary of State and his ministerial team on the efforts to balance the books, considering what they inherited from the previous Government. That approach is being adopted by the Prime Minister on EU budgets, so will the Minister update the House on the cost and efficiency of the European Defence Agency?

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

Shortly.

[Mr Speaker]

The preservation of his good humour on the part of the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff) is remarkable in the circumstances.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

May I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet me and the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) to discuss the future of the Kirton in Lindsey base? Does he agree that where communities have had long-standing historic relationships with the military in their area, it is crucial that the Ministry of Defence has proper discussions about the future?

[Mr Robathan]

We are very keen to maintain good links between the armed forces and communities. I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman and I look forward to meeting him shortly, when I hope we can come to a sensible agreement on the matter.

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Stephen Gilbert.

[Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. NATO figures show that Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and many other alliance countries are spending less than 2% of their GDP on defence. What is the Minister doing to make sure that all alliance countries pull their weight?