Oral Answers to Questions

Valerie Vaz Excerpts

Monday 18th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Dunne]

I thank my hon. Friend who, in a previous role, had responsibility for promoting defence exports. I also wish to say that I have even better news for him: the announcement last week of the sale of Typhoons to Kuwait was for not for 24 aircraft, but for 28.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

What defence spending can the Minister guarantee for the steel industry given that the procurement rules allow for community benefit?

[Mr Dunne]

This Government have undertaken a new set of procurement guidelines for steel, which we have implemented through the Ministry of Defence through a combination of briefings to the Defence Suppliers Forum undertaken by the Secretary of State. I have also written to the chief executives of the 15 largest contractors. We are cascading that through the supply chain to ensure that, for future defence procurement, there is every opportunity for UK steel manufacturers to bid for tenders.