Lords statement on the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Lords statement on the Defence Industrial Strategy.

Unpersoned.

Unpersoned.

The answer to the last question is yes: I am always ready for such meetings. I met those representatives recently, as my hon. Friend knows. I am prepared to meet them again, and he can be present again, if he so wishes. He asked about balance, and I assure him...

The answer to the last question is yes: I am always ready for such meetings. I met those representatives recently, as my hon. Friend knows. I am prepared to meet them again, and he can be present again, if he so wishes. He asked about balance, and I assure him...

We live in interesting times. I saw Conservative Front Benchers curl up at those heretical words from behind them. I have no problem in identifying myself with the hon. Gentleman’s sentiments. Efficiency, flexibility and productivity are not the monopoly of either the public or private sector. Therefore, we should not...

We live in interesting times. I saw Conservative Front Benchers curl up at those heretical words from behind them. I have no problem in identifying myself with the hon. Gentleman’s sentiments. Efficiency, flexibility and productivity are not the monopoly of either the public or private sector. Therefore, we should not...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord and I will certainly read the book which he mentioned; I have not read it. I will take on board the points that the noble Lord made relating to affordability. He makes a central point, but I hope that he finds that the Defence Industrial Strategy,...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord and I will certainly read the book which he mentioned; I have not read it. I will take on board the points that the noble Lord made relating to affordability. He makes a central point, but I hope that he finds that the Defence Industrial Strategy,...

Yes indeed. One reason why we must get best value for money is that these projects are immensely expensive. Our goal is to have victorious armed forces, and the technological and cost demands of modern warfare are huge. Part of our job is to make sure that we impose on...

Yes indeed. One reason why we must get best value for money is that these projects are immensely expensive. Our goal is to have victorious armed forces, and the technological and cost demands of modern warfare are huge. Part of our job is to make sure that we impose on...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for repeating the Statement; although, given that he is the architect of it all, perhaps the Secretary of State was repeating his Statement. I noticed when I listened in the other place that there was—rightly—an even more fulsome tribute given by the Defence Secretary to...

My Lords, I, too, thank the Minister for repeating the Statement; although, given that he is the architect of it all, perhaps the Secretary of State was repeating his Statement. I noticed when I listened in the other place that there was—rightly—an even more fulsome tribute given by the Defence Secretary to...

We have given that continual attention. I am musing on the word ““independent””. I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means. Certainly I take responsibility as the person who, during the controversy about whether we should buy the C-17s, with Lord Gilbert was on the side of leasing C-17s....

We have given that continual attention. I am musing on the word ““independent””. I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means. Certainly I take responsibility as the person who, during the controversy about whether we should buy the C-17s, with Lord Gilbert was on the side of leasing C-17s....

What consideration has been given in the strategy to the importance to the United Kingdom of having an independent strategic heavy-lift capability?

What consideration has been given in the strategy to the importance to the United Kingdom of having an independent strategic heavy-lift capability?

I join the hon. Gentleman in his tribute to the forces. As he knows, I was involved in trying to work in partnership with Bombardier. I certainly hope that there will be a role, not only for Thales—formerly Bombardier—but for a lot of small and medium-sized companies that are perhaps...

I join the hon. Gentleman in his tribute to the forces. As he knows, I was involved in trying to work in partnership with Bombardier. I certainly hope that there will be a role, not only for Thales—formerly Bombardier—but for a lot of small and medium-sized companies that are perhaps...

I join the Secretary of State in his warm tribute to our armed forces. As he knows, we in Northern Ireland have more reason than most to be grateful to them and proud of their courage and dedication. He mentioned the critical importance of the aerospace industry and the business...

I join the Secretary of State in his warm tribute to our armed forces. As he knows, we in Northern Ireland have more reason than most to be grateful to them and proud of their courage and dedication. He mentioned the critical importance of the aerospace industry and the business...

The Secretary of State mentioned outsourcing aeronautical engineering in pursuit of value for money. Does he agree that value for money can also be found in the public sector? If so, will he give an assurance today that those skills will be retained in the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering...

The Secretary of State mentioned outsourcing aeronautical engineering in pursuit of value for money. Does he agree that value for money can also be found in the public sector? If so, will he give an assurance today that those skills will be retained in the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering...

No, we have not got to that. I have made several estimates, however, one of which is: what would happen to the British armed forces and industry if we were ever to get a separate Scotland? It would be absolutely disastrous.

No, we have not got to that. I have made several estimates, however, one of which is: what would happen to the British armed forces and industry if we were ever to get a separate Scotland? It would be absolutely disastrous.

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge the genuine concern in the RAF about the lack of equipment and the late delivery of new equipment? What is his view of the morale of the RAF following his statement?

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge the genuine concern in the RAF about the lack of equipment and the late delivery of new equipment? What is his view of the morale of the RAF following his statement?

I suspect there has never been a time when members of the armed forces did not properly want more, quicker and better. That is part of what keeps us on our toes. As far as I am aware RAF morale is very good. They are delighted that the C-17s now...

I suspect there has never been a time when members of the armed forces did not properly want more, quicker and better. That is part of what keeps us on our toes. As far as I am aware RAF morale is very good. They are delighted that the C-17s now...

My constituents who work for British Aerospace will be most disappointed to hear the Secretary of State in effect announce in his statement the end of the manufacture of manned fast jets after the Typhoon project. Even more disappointing is the fact that he said nothing about a desire to...

My constituents who work for British Aerospace will be most disappointed to hear the Secretary of State in effect announce in his statement the end of the manufacture of manned fast jets after the Typhoon project. Even more disappointing is the fact that he said nothing about a desire to...

First, although the hon. Gentleman clearly feels that my statement is terrible for BAE Systems, the problem is that the company does not feel the same way. I believe that it will welcome the Government’s defence industrial strategy. Secondly, it would be little over the top for the hon. Gentleman...

First, although the hon. Gentleman clearly feels that my statement is terrible for BAE Systems, the problem is that the company does not feel the same way. I believe that it will welcome the Government’s defence industrial strategy. Secondly, it would be little over the top for the hon. Gentleman...

May I welcome the Secretary of State’s involvement of BAE Systems in my constituency—employing some 6,000 aerospace workers—in the production of this strategy and his recognition of the strategic importance of our military aerospace industry? Can he give more comfort to the House on how he may secure the final...

May I welcome the Secretary of State’s involvement of BAE Systems in my constituency—employing some 6,000 aerospace workers—in the production of this strategy and his recognition of the strategic importance of our military aerospace industry? Can he give more comfort to the House on how he may secure the final...

For blatantly obvious reasons the right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to tell him how I intend to conduct those negotiations. His points are relevant. We have made it plain that we must have the technological capability to upgrade, as well as maintain, the joint strike fighter, which is...

For blatantly obvious reasons the right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to tell him how I intend to conduct those negotiations. His points are relevant. We have made it plain that we must have the technological capability to upgrade, as well as maintain, the joint strike fighter, which is...

Given the time scale, has the Secretary of State made any assessment of the likely impact of the massive cost of either upgrading or replacing Trident and other defence projects in the long term?

Given the time scale, has the Secretary of State made any assessment of the likely impact of the massive cost of either upgrading or replacing Trident and other defence projects in the long term?