Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last held discussions with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) (i) further and (ii) higher education sector in Scotland to encourage the effective supply of skills for the defence industrial sector from Scotland.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government recognises the critical importance of attracting new entrants into the defence sector in order to ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain a vibrant, innovative and competitive defence industrial base. While discussions with the Scottish Government and education establishments in Scotland have not been held by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Ministry of Defence welcomes engagement and consultation with stakeholders across the United Kingdom to ensure our defence sector has the right people and skills to meet the challenges of the future.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the next stages of the Type 83 Destroyer programme.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The next stage of the Type 83 Destroyer programme, which is one element of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, will be announced following the completion of the Strategic Defence Review.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what bases in the UK will have capability to hold Dreadnought class submarines for (a) repairs and (b) maintenance by 2035.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards.
For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so could be used to undermine the security and capability of our Armed Forces.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many docks in the UK are able to hold Dreadnought class submarines for (a) repairs and (b) maintenance.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards.
For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so could be used to undermine the security and capability of our Armed Forces.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many docks will be required to hold Dreadnought submarines by 2035.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is a strategy in place to upgrade infrastructure and provide suitable docking for the new Dreadnought Class submarines across existing UK naval bases and dockyards.
For operational security reasons further details cannot be released as to do so could be used to undermine the security and capability of our Armed Forces.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will conduct an investigation of the potential national security threats posed by Chinese-made connected vehicles.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, not just those made in China. Best practice guidance has been issued to staff clarifying appropriate behaviour for all drivers and passengers in vehicles to protect them from potential threats. The MOD is keeping this policy area under review.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential security risk posed by Chinese-made electric vehicles being used by (a) senior officers and (b) other security officials.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of defence assets and people very seriously, and has been working with other Government Departments to investigate any potential threats to national security and to ensure that policies and procedures take account of the potential threats from all types of vehicle, not just those made in China. Best practice guidance has been issued to staff clarifying appropriate behaviour for all drivers and passengers in vehicles to protect them from potential threats. The MOD is keeping this policy area under review.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessmenhis Department has made of the (a) prevalence of and (b) security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured technology used in UK defence procurement and supply chains.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) welcomes foreign trade where it allows us to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment they require, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements and does not compromise our national security.
Transactions continue to be monitored where there are potential national security concerns from any country, and the Department will investigate and apply appropriate mitigations where required. Furthermore, the MOD regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21725 on Ukraine: Humanitarian Aid, when he plans to make a decision on future funding for MOAS frontline medical evacuation services in Ukraine.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We have engaged with Defence staff in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in London and it does not appear that this is a prioritised and supported request from the Ukrainian Government. While we recognise the important work the charity undertakes in-country we are unable to meet MOAS' request.
I regret the disappointment this will cause for the charity and the staff in Ukraine and recognise the impact this will have on MOAS' ability to continue to provide this capability. However, we must be led by the needs of the Ukrainian Government and ensure that UK taxpayers' money is appropriately allocated where Ukraine deems the need is greatest.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding he has allocated to the submarine dismantling programme for each of the next five years.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department does not release spending profiles for individual programmes. However, I can confirm the latest Whole Life Cost for the Submarine Dismantling Project, as published in the Department’s 2023 Government Major Projects Portfolio data, is £298 million. This figure includes costs associated with dismantling work in Rosyth and maintenance costs for decommissioned submarines in Devonport.