Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Jones Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory—through covid, through its response to the outrageous attack in Salisbury and in countless other ways—has shown its value to the country, and that is also recognised by our international partners. I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to invest to meet the threats of the future.

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

What plans his Department has made in the event that the UK does not reach an agreement on its future relationship with the EU by the end of the transition period.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey)]

We want a relationship with the EU that is based on friendly co-operation between sovereign equals and is centred on free trade. We are developing plans to ensure that the critical work of defence continues regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.

[Ruth Jones]

What discussions exactly has the Minister had with counterparts in the EU on how the UK can, where it is in our interest, continue to co-operate with member states to further our collective security?

[James Heappey]

The whole ministerial team talks to our counterparts across Europe regularly in the context not just of Brexit, but of our bilateral and multilateral co-operations through a whole series of organisations and fora. That work will continue whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, because our military partnerships with friends and colleagues across Europe are vital to the security of this nation.