Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent activities his Department has undertaken with (a) Boeing and (b) Lockheed Martin as part of the Prosperity Framework agreements.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Activities under the 2016 agreement with Boeing, include supplier development workshops to assist UK companies in bidding for work with Boeing and major events in the US to connect UK companies with key Boeing civil and defence decision-makers and buyers. In October 2018, the Government, Boeing and ADS (the UK trade association) organised a Defence Supplier Showcase.
The Prosperity Framework with Lockheed Martin was signed in July 2018. A number of workshops have already been held to identify areas of opportunity and to undertake further detailed planning around future joint work.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the objectives are of his Department’s Prosperity Framework agreement with (a) Boeing and (b) Lockheed Martin.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Prosperity Frameworks between the Government and Boeing and Lockheed Martin seek to strengthen the UK's engagement with two of the world's largest aerospace and defence manufactures and to create new opportunities for UK supply companies to win work on their current and future major programmes.
They also represent a shared ambition with each of these companies to expand their footprints in the UK and increase their UK research and development.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 24 July 2018, Ministry of Defence - Update, HCWS 909, when his Department was first aware that military personnel would be unable to receive their 0.9 per cent non-consolidated one-off payment as a result of issues with the online payroll system.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
The non-consolidated aspect of the pay award has never previously been a part of the remunerative offer for Service personnel and, as a result, the Department has always been aware that additional time would be required to build this feature into the system. The delay was not a result of issues with the online payroll system.
We are currently working to deliver the one-off payment, which is planned to be made to Service personnel by the end of the financial year, backdated to 1 April 2018.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 24 July 2018 on Ministry of Defence -Update, HCWS909, when (a) his Department's online payroll system will process and (b) service personnel will receive the 0.9 per cent non-consolidated one-off payment.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
The non-consolidated aspect of the pay award has never previously been a part of the remunerative offer for Service personnel and, as a result, the Department has always been aware that additional time would be required to build this feature into the system. The delay was not a result of issues with the online payroll system.
We are currently working to deliver the one-off payment, which is planned to be made to Service personnel by the end of the financial year, backdated to 1 April 2018.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the replacement for the Royal Air Force E-3D Sentry AWACS aircraft.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Any decision on the way forward for the Airborne Warning and Control System capability will be taken in the best interests of national security in the face of intensifying threats. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy that the contract for the replacement of the Royal Air Force's E-3D Sentry AWACS aircraft will be subject to a process of competitive tender.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Any decision on the way forward for the Airborne Warning and Control System capability will be taken in the best interests of national security in the face of intensifying threats. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the reasons are for his Department's decision to purchase F-35A aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
Answered by Guto Bebb
No F-35A variants have been purchased.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of integrating Stingray torpedoes onto the new Boeing P-8As.
Answered by Guto Bebb
At the time of introduction into service the P-8A will be fitted for and equipped with Harpoon Air to Surface missiles as well as Mk 54 torpedoes. These weapons are used by all P-8 Poseidon Nations and provide us with a robust route to capability employment, and ensure commonality with our major Allies. Once we have reached the full operating capability of the aircraft and have had time to study the optimal employment model for the UK, the Department will be in a position to make decisions on future weapon configurations, including alternative weapons.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the proportion of defence contracts that procured through single source contracts in each year since 2013.
Answered by Guto Bebb
Ministry of Defence trade, industry and contracts information is published annually on gov.uk. The latest statistics are at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-trade-industry-and-contracts-2017 and include data on the proportion of non-competitive contracts placed by number and value for the period requested.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 14 December 2017 HCWS351 on Single Source Procurement Legislation: Review, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on single source procurement.
Answered by Guto Bebb
In his Written Statement of 14 December 2017, the Secretary of State called for further work on the detail of how the proposed changes could be implemented. This further work is nearing completion and a statement setting out the Government's position on the review is expected shortly.