Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Hammond Excerpts
Monday 23rd November 2015

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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No, I do not accept that. Of course the membership of the European Union has enabled us to be as one in Europe in imposing sanctions on Russia for the action it took in Crimea and in the insurgency it stirred up in Ukraine, but the bulk of our defence rests on our membership of the NATO alliance.

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)
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T8. At a time when it is clear that our nuclear defence is key, will the Minister update us on the progress that the MOD is making in delivering our nuclear-powered Astute submarines?

Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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Yes, as I have already said, I was delighted last Thursday to announce, in Barrow, the £1.3 billion contract to complete the build of the fifth Astute-class submarine. We will save money for the taxpayer and deliver the submarine ahead of the schedule of the previous one, and we are on track.