Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will the Defence Readiness Bill be presented to Parliament.

Defence Readiness legislation is being considered to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe in crisis or war, as recommended in the Strategic Defence Review.

We are aiming to deliver legislative proposals later this Parliament. It will take time to develop the detailed policy requirements, understand their implications and establish what new legislation is required. As is standard with the legislative process, any future legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.

We are working across Government to prepare measures and engagement on those measures will be announced in due course.