Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Vicky Ford Excerpts
Monday 5th March 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Luke Hall Portrait Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) (Con)
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11. What steps he is taking to encourage innovation by defence suppliers.

Vicky Ford Portrait Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)
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20. What steps he is taking to encourage innovation by defence suppliers.

Guto Bebb Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Guto Bebb)
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With an equipment plan worth £180 billion over 10 years, a rising defence budget and an £800 million innovation fund, there are great opportunities for innovative suppliers to work with the Ministry of Defence. The Department recently took part in a Pitch@Palace event, reaching out to defence sector entrepreneurs, and the open call for innovation has been changed to increase opportunities to work with the Government.

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Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I am very disappointed not to have been able to visit Surrey Satellite Technology, which developed that facility. Unfortunately, my visit did not take place last Thursday owing to the weather.

This is a significant development. From my perspective, it is an example of innovative thinking being developed by the MOD and the Air Force. Even more importantly, it was a concept only 10 months ago and it has now been procured. Obviously, as part of our combat air strategy, the way in which we interlink with satellite technology will be a key consideration for the Ministry of Defence.

Vicky Ford Portrait Vicky Ford
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The Minister’s predecessor recently paid a very welcome visit to BAE in Chelmsford, which has played a critical role in developing Britain’s radar capacity through the generations. Does the Minister agree that, when it comes to the next generation of ballistic missile defence radar, it is vital to maintain British capacity and make sure that these skills stay in Britain?

Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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I thank my hon. Friend for her question and pay tribute to BAE for the work that is being done in her constituency. She is absolutely right to highlight the importance of keeping skills in the United Kingdom. Members from all parts of the House should be proud that the Ministry of Defence is responsible for more than 20,000 apprenticeship opportunities throughout the United Kingdom, as it highlights again that Ministry of Defence procurement leads to high-quality, skilled jobs in all parts of the UK, including Chelmsford.