Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what mechanisms his Department uses to monitor whether prime contractors provide small and medium-sized enterprises with fair access to subcontracting opportunities.

The Ministry of Defence recognises that many small and medium-sized enterprises participate in Defence through the supply chains of prime contractors.

The Defence Office for Small Business Growth works with strategic suppliers to promote SME-friendly policies and behaviours with a view to increase the visibility of subcontracting opportunities and improve our evidence of direct and indirect SME expenditure. MOD Primes and strategic partners are taking action and expanding internal SME Champion networks to better identify, mentor, and onboard innovative technology and manufacturing suppliers.