Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 24 of his Department's report, Industry for Defence and a Prosperous Britain: Refreshing Defence Industrial Policy 2017, when he plans to launch that consultation with industry.

We are already engaging with industry on the development of proportionate and relevant measures of sustainable social and economic value. This is being done through direct engagement in the Defence Suppliers Forum and the Defence Growth Partnership, as well as in the context of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the recently announced Combat Air Strategy. We expect this to be a continuing process of engagement and we will broaden our consultation with companies of all sizes as this work takes further shape.