Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Coaker Excerpts
Monday 23rd October 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Ah, splendid!

Lord Coaker Portrait Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab)
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Will the Minister update the House on what is happening with regard to ordering the aircraft for the aircraft carrier? It would be handy to have an update on that.

Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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I am pleased to be able to update the hon. Gentleman. As he will know, we already have 12 F-35 aircraft and they are already flying in the US. We will have 14 by the end of the year. Next year, we are on track to stand up the first squadron in the UK. I am pleased that I was able to announce last week that the F-35 has successfully completed the trials on the ski jump in the US and is now cleared to take off from the carrier.