Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability of Damen to deliver as a subcontractor under the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts following Damen's receipt of an emergency loan from the Dutch Government.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Marine Services Next Generation procurement was carried out in accordance with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR), under which Serco, as prime contractor, was free to select its own supply chain. The Procurement Act, which came into force in February 2025, offers greater flexibility to prioritise British companies in strategically important areas.
The Ministry Of Defence (MOD) is aware of ongoing legal proceedings against Damen in the Netherlands, it continues to monitor proceedings and will take appropriate action should a conviction occur.
The MOD is aware of the loan provided by the Dutch Government to Damen. Serco, as prime contractor, has undertaken its own analysis of Damen’s financial position and has advised that there is no immediate risk to delivery of the Vessel Replacement Programme. Both the MOD and Serco will continue to monitor the situation as part of routine contract management.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what investigation they have undertaken into the award to Damen under the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts following the prosecution of Damen in the Netherlands for bribery.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Marine Services Next Generation procurement was carried out in accordance with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR), under which Serco, as prime contractor, was free to select its own supply chain. The Procurement Act, which came into force in February 2025, offers greater flexibility to prioritise British companies in strategically important areas.
The Ministry Of Defence (MOD) is aware of ongoing legal proceedings against Damen in the Netherlands, it continues to monitor proceedings and will take appropriate action should a conviction occur.
The MOD is aware of the loan provided by the Dutch Government to Damen. Serco, as prime contractor, has undertaken its own analysis of Damen’s financial position and has advised that there is no immediate risk to delivery of the Vessel Replacement Programme. Both the MOD and Serco will continue to monitor the situation as part of routine contract management.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Serco about the delivery of the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts and the ability of Damen to deliver as a subcontractor.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence holds regular and detailed discussions with Serco, the prime contractor for the Defence Marine Services Next Generation In-Port Services contract, regarding the delivery of the contract.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local authorities, combined authorities and industry representatives in the North East regarding the potential of an "always on" munitions factory in the region.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the potential contribution to addressing regional imbalances of locating one of the proposed "always-on" munitions factories in the North East.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.