Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Smith Excerpts

Monday 1st June 2026 Commons Chamber

[John Healey]

It will be before the Bill is due for its next stage in Parliament, which is Committee stage in this House.

[Sir Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

2. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of lead ammunition for defence purposes.

[The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)]

Lead, like other critical minerals and the broader range of chemicals that go into producing energetics and ammunition, has seen constrained supply over the past five years. That is why we are taking a strategic approach to our munitions management, including rebuilding depleted stockpiles, investment in always-on facilities and munitions, and building new energetics factories in the UK.

[Sir Julian Smith]

I thank the Minister for the answer. According to the ammunitions industry, the upcoming ban on lead in commercial bullets is going to cause significant problems for the police and armed forces, in terms of cost and supply. Viking Arms, in my constituency, which supplies the military and the police, is deeply worried about this issue. Will he meet it and any other suppliers to hear their concerns about the problem?

[Luke Pollard]

I would be happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman and his constituents. We inherited stockpiles that were much lower than we would have liked, and this Government are determined to refill those stockpiles; anything that goes into rebuilding those is important to me. I am happy to meet and discuss this further.