To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on identifying and repairing the fault that led to the Trident D5 II missile not being able to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on identifying and repairing the fault that led to the Trident D5 II missile not being able to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what work has been carried out by the manufacturers of other Trident D5 II missiles to prevent reoccurrence since the missile was unable to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what work has been carried out by the manufacturers of other Trident D5 II missiles to prevent reoccurrence since the missile was unable to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.

On Friday, the National Audit Office placed a serious question mark against the Government’s 2% commitment. Its report revealed that in order to fulfil the defence equipment plan following the collapse of the pound post-Brexit, the Ministry of Defence will have to use all its £11 billion contingency fund and make a further £6 billion of savings in defence spending across the board. Given that Trident is ring-fenced, will the Secretary of State tell the country whether it will be hard-pressed defence personnel and our conventional capabilities that will bear the brunt of those cuts?

On Friday, the National Audit Office placed a serious question mark against the Government’s 2% commitment. Its report revealed that in order to fulfil the defence equipment plan following the collapse of the pound post-Brexit, the Ministry of Defence will have to use all its £11 billion contingency fund and make a further £6 billion of savings in defence spending across the board. Given that Trident is ring-fenced, will the Secretary of State tell the country whether it will be hard-pressed defence personnel and our conventional capabilities that will bear the brunt of those cuts?

The National Audit Office report cast further doubt on the Type 26 programme:

“Major changes to the requirement for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship mean that costings for this…will be unclear until 2018.”

With an ageing fleet in desperate need of renewal, a looming budgetary crisis and the uncertainty caused by Brexit, cuts to numbers, and delays, how does the Secretary of State intend to make good on the promise to maintain 19 destroyers and frigates in the Royal Navy? For how much longer does he believe that the Royal Navy can respond to global threats with its current fleet?

The National Audit Office report cast further doubt on the Type 26 programme:

“Major changes to the requirement for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship mean that costings for this…will be unclear until 2018.”

With an ageing fleet in desperate need of renewal, a looming budgetary crisis and the uncertainty caused by Brexit, cuts to numbers, and delays, how does the Secretary of State intend to make good on the promise to maintain 19 destroyers and frigates in the Royal Navy? For how much longer does he believe that the Royal Navy can respond to global threats with its current fleet?

May I begin by sending my condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, who was tragically killed at RAF Tain last week?

On Friday, I warmly welcomed the announcement that steel would be cut on the Type 26 frigates in summer 2017. However, I repeat my point that the contract remains unsigned, so will the Secretary of State get a move on and sign it? The defence procurement Minister said last year that Type 23s would be replaced by Type 26s on a like-for-like basis. Is that still the case?

May I begin by sending my condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, who was tragically killed at RAF Tain last week?

On Friday, I warmly welcomed the announcement that steel would be cut on the Type 26 frigates in summer 2017. However, I repeat my point that the contract remains unsigned, so will the Secretary of State get a move on and sign it? The defence procurement Minister said last year that Type 23s would be replaced by Type 26s on a like-for-like basis. Is that still the case?

Is it not the case that only the original order for 13 Type 26s would have kept the yards working until 2035? Now that there are only eight and there is no confirmation of the general purpose frigates, how can an order for just eight Type 26s secure two decades’ worth of work on the Clyde?

Is it not the case that only the original order for 13 Type 26s would have kept the yards working until 2035? Now that there are only eight and there is no confirmation of the general purpose frigates, how can an order for just eight Type 26s secure two decades’ worth of work on the Clyde?

Eleventh opposition day debate (part one), on a motion in the name of the Leader of the second largest opposition party (SNP). Main question negatived on division (64 to 330).

Eleventh opposition day debate (part one), on a motion in the name of the Leader of the second largest opposition party (SNP). Main question negatived on division (64 to 330).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications will be needed at HMNB Clyde and RNAD Coulport to accept the successor submarine programme; what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of adapting the ship-lift facility at HMNB Clyde to accommodate the successor to...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications will be needed at HMNB Clyde and RNAD Coulport to accept the successor submarine programme; what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of adapting the ship-lift facility at HMNB Clyde to accommodate the successor to...