Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to ensure that UK defence procurement supports UK industrial growth; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to helping the UK defence sector grow and compete successfully; our expenditure with UK industry and commerce was £18.7 billion in 2015-16 and directly supports over 121,000 jobs in every nation and region of the United Kingdom. We will shortly publish our refreshed defence industrial policy which will set out the further steps we are taking to achieve our national security objectives in defence procurement, including to promote prosperity.