House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Alan Brown
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Asked on: 18 June 2019
Department for Transport
Radar: Wind Power
266198
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has taken steps to ensure that the operation of radar does not restrict the implementation of the Government’s offshore wind sector deal.
A
Answered by: Michael Ellis
Answered on: 26 June 2019
It is essential that UK aviation continues to benefit from a high standard of safety, and the windfarm industry will continue to play a key role in ensuring that this remains the case. The Offshore Wind Sector deal could deliver up to 30GW by 2030 and the Government has committed to work across Government, including aviation, to ensure this is achieved in a sustainable way taking account of users of the sea, aviation and Ministry of Defence.
The process of upgrading civil and military radar by around 2030 will be led by the Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services, as they look to procure systems in line with their future requirements.
An Aviation Management Board has been established for the Government to work jointly with both the windfarm industry and the aviation sector to find a solution which meets the needs of both industries and ensures a safe airspace.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 18 June 2019
Ministry of Defence
British Steel: Insolvency
266168
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the effect of British Steel’s recent insolvency announcement on (a) the Fleet Solid Support contract and (b) other defence-related contracts.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 24 June 2019
Steel for our major defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers and that remains the case. This Government is committed to creating the right conditions in the UK for a competitive and sustainable steel industry. It publishes its future pipeline for steel requirements, together with data on how Departments are complying with steel procurement guidance at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/steel-public-procurement
This enables UK steel manufacturers to better plan and bid for Government contracts.
It is too early to comment on the sourcing of steel for the Fleet Solid Support ships.
Q
Asked by Mr Mark Francois
(Rayleigh and Wickford)
[N]
Asked on: 19 June 2019
Ministry of Defence
Future Large Aircraft
266855
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the programme to improve the airworthiness of the RAF’s A400M fleet; and whether any of that cost is being being borne by (a) the RAF, (b) Airbus and (c) a combination of the two.
A
Answered by: Stuart Andrew
Answered on: 24 June 2019
The A400M aircraft is fully compliant with all UK safety and airworthiness standards. A modification programme is under way to improve the reliability of aircraft systems to increase availability. This programme of work is fully funded by Airbus and their subcontractors under the terms of the contract.