Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephanie Peacock Excerpts
Monday 25th March 2024

(8 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Smith Portrait Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
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12. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system.

Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)
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14. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system.

Khalid Mahmood Portrait Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab)
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15. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system.

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James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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The hon. Gentleman asks a very important question. Of course, training is fundamental to bringing in the next generation to man our capability. I recently had the pleasure of visiting RAF Valley, where I discussed the issue with the RAF. It was able to confirm to me that, for the first time in a long time, there were more students taking up their places rather than in holds. That is a key metric in which we are seeing significant progress, but yes we want to go further.

Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock
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Last March, the Government said that they would have their Ajax scheme ready between October 2028 and September 2029. Given that only 25% of armoured vehicles have been produced, are the Government on target to meet that deadline?