House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Tom Brake
(Carshalton and Wallington)
Asked on: 18 April 2019
Ministry of Defence
Armed Forces: EU Defence Policy
246008
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of leaving the EU (a) with a deal and (b) under a no-deal scenario on the legal status and chain of command for UK armed forces personnel serving on EU-led missions.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 30 April 2019
The Political Declaration on the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom sets out the basis for our future cooperation as a third country. This includes providing the legal framework, in the form of a Framework Participation Agreement, for the UK to contribute to EU crisis management operations and missions, on a case-by-case basis and when in the mutual interests. Such a partnership must respect the sovereignty of the UK, the UK will maintain control over its defence policy and decision making.
In a No Deal scenario, the UK would withdraw from Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations – both military and civilian, and associated personnel seconded to the EU institutions. The UK would continue to act through other multilateral fora, including through the UN and NATO.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 18 April 2019
Ministry of Defence
India: Military Alliances
245690
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and India supports increased defence ties between the UK and India.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 30 April 2019
The Memorandum of Understanding underpins the commitment of the UK and India to strengthening our bilateral defence relationship. It will help us identify common defence and security capability needs, thereby allowing our defence and security industries to focus and collaborate more effectively on procurement opportunities, both in the UK and in India. The improvements in technology and manufacturing capabilities flowing from this co-operation will bolster our mutual security and prosperity for the long term.
Grouped Questions: 246484
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 18 April 2019
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence: Procurement
245689
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the greatest economic benefit to the UK from his Department’s (a) public procurement and (b) award of contracts.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 30 April 2019
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually seeks to improve its public procurement and contract award processes to obtain the best commercial outcome for the taxpayer. We do this in a way that looks to strengthen our economy and prosperity where it is relevant to what is being procured and is fair and non-discriminatory. To maximise UK economic benefits, the MOD uses the Treasury’s Green Book framework when making these decisions.
Since 2015, we have published a National Shipbuilding Strategy, launched the Future Combat Air Strategy, and refreshed our Defence Industrial Policy to help strengthen UK competitiveness. We also routinely engage with global primes to create opportunities for all tiers of the UK supply chain.
On 14 March 2019, the Defence Secretary announced an ambitious Defence Prosperity Programme to grow Defence’s contribution to UK prosperity. As part of this programme we are working jointly with industry and academia to improve the quality and relevance of defence economic data that is available to decision makers.
Q
Asked by Mrs Pauline Latham
(Mid Derbyshire)
Asked on: 25 April 2019
Department for Exiting the European Union
EU Defence Policy
247681
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which European defence structures the Withdrawal Agreement makes provision for the UK to remain in after the UK has left the EU.
A
Answered by: Kwasi Kwarteng
Answered on: 30 April 2019
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms for the UK’s departure from the EU, including the implementation period. When the UK leaves the EU we will also leave all EU defence structures. The Political Declaration outlines the framework for the future UK-EU relationship, including close cooperation on security and defence. The UK will retain our leading role in NATO which is the cornerstone of the Euro-Atlantic defence.