11 Sep 14. The Defence Committee recently reported on the implications of Scottish Independence:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmdfence/198/198.pdf
And the response from the Government:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmdfence/839/839.pdf
House of Commons Written Answers 10 September 2014
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to procure a class of Future Rapid Effects System Utility vehicles as part of the Armoured Vehicles Programme. [208112]
Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is no longer pursuing a “Future Rapid Effects System” programme. The capability that the Future Rapid Effects System was intended to deliver is now being delivered through other projects, principally the SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV) and the Utility Vehicle (UV). SCOUT is the transformational project that will refresh our entire armoured capability and allow us to remain a global first-tier military force. A £3.5 billion contract to procure 589 SCOUT (SVs) was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) on 3 September 2014, Official Report, column 20WS. The Utility Vehicle programme, including work to define the requirements of the vehicle, is in its early stages.
Information
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to improve its Information and Information Communication Technology capability. [208408]
Mr Dunne: The Department’s extant Information Communication Technology (ICT) Strategy dated October 2013 is available in the public domain on the Gov.uk website at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255880/Defence_ICT_Strategy_ 2013_Final.pdf
The departmental lead for Information and ICT in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the Information Systems and Services (ISS) organisation. ISS has recently embarked on an ambitious tranformational change programme aimed at enhancing ICT capabilities across the MOD (both in the operational and corporate domains). Technology and Innovation are at the heart of ISS Transformation and our initial focus will be to deliver improvements to the MOD-wide computer network, Defence Information Infrastructure (DII). Other workstreams focus on skills and behaviours; industry engagement and improving ISS’ agility and customer focus.
House of Commons Written Answers 8 September 2014
Defence: Procurement
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made towards meeting the assumed savings in the (a) Complex Weapons Programme and (b) Submarine Enterprise Performance programme; and how much has been saved through each such programme to date. [207919]
Mr Dunne: The Complex Weapons Programme is on track to deliver significant cost benefits, providing greater flexibility and responsiveness to changing requirements, and supporting the industrial skills and capabilities needed to deliver Operational Advantage and Freedom of Action. Financial benefits of £196 million have so far been achieved against a forecast of £1.2 billion. The Submarine Enterprise Performance Programme is also making good progress, with the signature of two of the three Foundation Contracts, the establishment of a robust benefits delivery and audit process, and the formation of the Submarine Portfolio Office providing a coherent joint programming function across the Enterprise. Financial benefits of £356 million have so far been achieved against a forecast of £900 million.
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to let the contracts for the managed service providers (MSP) before the end of September 2014; and if he will place relationship with the services and Defence Equipment and Support. [208062]
Mr Dunne: We continue to make excellent progress on the competition for th