Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the carrier strike group will return to the UK.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment will return to the UK in mid-December. This concludes a seven-month deployment where ships and aircraft from the Group have operated and exercised with over 40 countries, demonstrating our interoperability and commitment to working with allies and partners.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made with General Dynamics to recover taxpayer money from that company if the Ajax programme is terminated.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement (HCWS322) made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 18 October 2021.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when David Marsh will produce recommendations on the Ajax programme; and when these recommendations will be published.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
David Marsh has been appointed as SRO on the Armoured Cavalry Programme (including Ajax). The MOD is committed to working with General Dynamics to achieve a resolution of outstanding issues. We will not take into service a capability which is not fit for purpose. Mr Marsh has not been commissioned to produce a “report” on Ajax but will in the ordinary course be advising Ministers as the programme evolves.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what involvement the Ministry of Defence has in securing and protecting the UK’s energy supplies; and what is their strategy for that role.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is responsible for the overall operation and resilience of the UK's domestic energy market. In parallel, defence of the UK and its overseas territories from the malicious intent of our adversaries is the first task of the Ministry of Defence. This extends to being prepared to defend against and counter external hostile threats to our way of life and the delivery of critical services. Our strategy for this is set out in the Defence Command Paper, published on 22 March 2021.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Ministry of Defence will publish its artificial intelligence strategy.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Ministry of Defence will publish the first Defence Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy later this year.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the contract with General Dynamics for the Ajax programme.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Terms and Conditions of the contract for the Ajax Programme with General Dynamics are commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding this information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Consequently, there are no plans to publish the contract.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the contract for the Ajax programme allows them to reclaim funding from General Dynamics in the event of the programme’s cancellation; and if so, in what circumstances.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Terms and Conditions of the contract for the Ajax Programme with General Dynamics are commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding this information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Consequently, there are no plans to publish the contract.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how much they would have to pay of the contract with General Dynamics if the Ajax programme is cancelled.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Terms and Conditions of the contract for the Ajax Programme with General Dynamics are commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding this information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Consequently, there are no plans to publish the contract.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the Army's capabilities of cancelling the Ajax programme.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 19 July 2021 to Qustion 33142 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Mark Francois).
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to how the vehicles already delivered by the Ajax programme will be used in the event that the programme is cancelled.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 19 July 2021 to Qustion 33142 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Mark Francois).