14 Dec 17. Mark Sedwell the government’s National Security Advisor has declined an invitation to appear in front of the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence. Julian Lewis MP the committee chairman has requested that Mr Sedwell appear in front of his committee in connection with the National Security and Capability Review which he is leading. Sedwell has stated that he would agree to appear before the Joint Committee on National Security. Lewis believes that Sedwell’s refusal, so far, to appear before his committee is unhelpful. (Source: Nick Watts)
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 05 December 2017
Ministry of Defence
Defence Innovation Fund
117673
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence of 27 November 2017, Official Report, column 14, what the value of successful applications to the Defence Innovation Fund has been during 2017.
A
Answered by: Harriett Baldwin
Answered on: 13 December 2017
The value of successful applications to the Defence Innovation Fund to date in 2017 is £6,649,477.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 05 December 2017
Ministry of Defence
Defence Equipment: Expenditure
117671
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral contribution of 27 November 2017, Official Report, column 4, what the value of the real terms increase in defence spending on defence equipment has been over the last five years.
A
Answered by: Gavin Williamson
Answered on: 13 December 2017
In the five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17 spend on the equipment programme grew by an average of 3.5% per year in real terms.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 05 December 2017
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Scotland
117670
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral contribution of 27 November 2017, Official Report, column 2, if he will set out in more detail what the £1.5 billion of defence investment in Scotland is being spent on.
A
Answered by: Gavin Williamson
Answered on: 13 December 2017
The £1.5 billion of defence investment in Scotland over a 10 year period will be spent on improvements to infrastructure at Faslane, Coulport and Lossiemouth.
The planned investment in Faslane and Coulport includes the Faslane Nuclear Infrastructure Continuous Availability Project, Coulport Infrastructure Continuous Availability Project and the Faslane Nuclear Support Hub. There will also be improvements to Single Living Accommodation.
There will also be significant spend at Lossiemouth to provide infrastructure for the P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet and additional Typhoon Front Line squadron.
Q
Asked by Ruth Smeeth
(Stoke-on-Trent North)
Asked on: 05 December 2017
Ministry of Defence
Armed Forces: Defence Equipment
117538
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking in order to reduce cannibalism of equipment in the Armed Forces.
A
Answered by: Harriett Baldwin
Answered on: 13 December 2017
Cannibalisation or the use of fit parts for repairable equipment, is a recognised Defence practice for satisfying a material demand with a required delivery date and has been in place for decades in the Armed Forces. It is only used when all other sources of supply have been explored and is essential to protecting the operational programmes of the Armed Forces..
For the Army, cannibalisation, is an extreme option that may only be authorised by the operational Equipment Support Commander in order to support priority missions.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 04 December 2017
Ministry of Defence
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
117147
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many flying hours have been completed on VIP configured RAF Voyager aircraft in each of the last 12 months.
A
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