Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 6.50 of the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, if he will ensure that the refresh of the defence industrial policy includes measures to (a) maximise export potential, (b) generate intellectual property rights and (c) promote engineering skills in the defence and aerospace sector.

The Government remains committed to the principles set out in the 2012 National Security Through Technology White Paper. We will always strive to get the best value for money for the taxpayer in a way that strengthens national prosperity. This will be our approach in refreshing defence industrial policy and in promoting an innovative, skilled and globally competitive UK defence sector.