16 Oct 18. Defence Committee. Publication Of Government Response.
On Thin Ice: UK Defence in the Arctic: Government
Response to the Committee’s Twelfth Report [HC 1659] on Thursday 18 October.
The special report will be available on the Committee’s website, www.parliament.uk/defcom from 11.00am on Thursday 18 October.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Asked by Mrs Madeleine Moon
(Bridgend)
Asked on: 08 October 2018
Ministry of Defence
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
176046
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2018 to Question 123120 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles, when his Department plans to take delivery of the AJAX vehicles; what the timetable is for the delivery of those vehicles to his Department; what the timetable is for the roll-out of those vehicles across the Armoured Infantry and new Strike Brigades; when that roll-out will be completed; how many of those vehicles have been (a) delivered and (b) rolled-out to date; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 October 2018
The AJAX programme is currently in its low-rate initial production phase, with the Army expected to take formal delivery of the ARES variant later this year. Negotiations are ongoing to confirm the delivery and manufacture timelines, with the aim of achieving the Initial Operating Capability in 2020, and Full Operating Capability in 2025.
Q
Asked by Colin Clark
(Gordon)
Asked on: 08 October 2018
Ministry of Defence
Sea King Helicopters: Asbestos
176615
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what type of asbestos was contained in Sea King helicopters; and in what parts of the helicopter that asbestos was located.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 October 2018
The Sea King first entered service in 1969 and the final aircraft were retired from the active inventory on 30 September 2018.
Historically, Asbestos Containing Material was used where resistance to heat or an insulating property was required.
In the Sea King this was principally in gaskets and seals located around the engines, gearboxes, heating and ventilation systems.
A detailed investigation is ongoing, however the Design Organisation, Leonardo Helicopters, has confirmed that to the best of their knowledge, Chrysolite (white) asbestos is the only asbestos type that was used.
Q
Asked by Mrs Madeleine Moon
(Bridgend)
Asked on: 08 October 2018
Ministry of Defence
Army: Vehicles
176047
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) General Dynamics and (b) Oshkosh on the procurement of Multi-Role Vehicles (Protected); and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 October 2018
The Multi-Role Vehicle – Protected programme is being delivered in two packages. For package One, Command, Liaison and Logistic vehicles, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle manufactured by Oshkosh has been identified as the preferred option. No final decisions have yet been made.
For package Two, Troop Carrying Vehicles and Future Protected Battlefield Ambulances, a competition is on-going which includes General Dynamics UK Ltd and Thales UK Ltd.
We have regular discussions with industry about this programme. For both of these packages, it is still too early in the procurement process to comment on potential UK jobs.
Q
Asked by Lloyd Russell-Moyle
(Brighton, Kemptown)
Asked on: 08 October 2018
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Diversification
176571
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has a policy on defence diversification to protect jobs in the defence sector.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 16 October 2018
The people working in the defence sector make an enormous contribution to the capability of our Armed Forces. The industry supports hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs throughout the UK. Our refreshed Defence Industrial Policy, published in December 2017, sets out our commitment to encouraging a thriving and globally competitive UK defence sector as an integral part of the Government’s overall Industrial Strategy. This includes encouraging the wider application of our investment in research, and Ploughshare Innovations Ltd was established specifically to support transfer of defence science and technology into the civilian market. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence recently invited Philip Dunne MP to carry out an external review of opportunities to grow the contribution that defence makes to UK prosperity. This was published in July and we are currently considering its recommendations.
Q
Asked by Mrs Madeleine Moon
(Bridgend)
Asked on: 08 October 2018
Ministry of Defence
MOD St Athan
176049
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Welsh Government relating to MOD St. Athan; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Mr Tobias Ellwood
Answered on: 16 October 2018
The Department is committed to retaining a presence at Ministry of Defence (MOD) St Athan and MOD officials in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation are currently in negotiations with the Welsh Government regarding future arrangements.