Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Fiona Onasanya

Monday 10th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) (Lab)]

5. What discussions he had with contractors on their delivery of service accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Tobias Ellwood)]

The national housing prime contractor is CarillionAmey and, with support from the MOD, performance levels for service accommodation have been met and sustained. Both organisations meet monthly to review performance, and the Department will penalise poor performance where necessary.

[Fiona Onasanya]

I thank the Secretary of State for his response. What estimate has he made of the impact of renegotiating the lease in 2021? Will the costs fall on service families?

[Mr Ellwood]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for calling me the Secretary of State; I hope that if enough people say that, it will actually—[Interruption.] I should not say that. I will say, however, that the hon. Lady raises the important issue of ensuring that service family accommodation is up to par. That forms part of our armed forces people proposals, which I will be speaking more about in the House. I hope that we will have the opportunity to review the contract in 2021, but I hope the hon. Lady understands that negotiations will take place and that we will we keep the House updated.