16 Jul 21. Evidence Session Defence Committee. AJAX manufacturer General Dynamics and MoD to face questions from Defence Committee.
On Tuesday 20 July, at 15.00, the Defence Committee will hold a one-off evidence session on the Ajax programme, hearing from General Dynamics and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This session is intended to explore progress on the Ajax programme in light of recent reports about the vehicles’ mobility, speed, firing on the move, survivability and ISTAR capabilities and the noise and vibration problems encountered during testing. Questions will likely also focus on the history of the Government’s negotiations with General Dynamics, as well as any contingency plans for cancelling the programme and the potential impact on jobs and the supply chain.
Carew Wilks, Vice President & General Manager, and Scott Milne, Executive Programme Director, will appear on behalf of General Dynamics Land Systems in the first panel. The second panel will hear the Government’s side, speaking to Jeremy Quin MP, Minister for Defence Procurement.
20 July
15.00
- Carew Wilks, Vice President & General Manager, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK
- Scott Milne, Executive Programme Director, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK
16.00
- Jeremy Quin MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, Ministry of Defence
- David Williams CB, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence
- Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse CBE MC, Commander Field Army, Ministry of Defence
- Major General Timothy Hodgetts CBE, Surgeon General, Ministry of Defence
15 Jul 21. Defence Sub-Committee – Women in the Armed Forces Sub-Committee to publish its report. The Women in the Armed Forces Sub-Committee will publish its report on 00.01 Sunday 25 July 2021, with embargoed copies available the day before. If you are in receipt of this email you will automatically receive a copy.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
UIN 29849, tabled on 8 July 2021
Question
Rachael Maskell
Labour
York Central
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether hon. Members will have a vote on future military operations in Afghanistan in the event that the Government plans to re-enter that country.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on
14 July 2021
Overseas operational deployments of military personnel are notified to Parliament in line with the longstanding convention of successive Governments. Military commitments are a decision for the Government of the day. Any decisions on our future presence will be made in consultation with our Allies. The UK remains committed to supporting the development of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces on their path to becoming fully self-sufficient and in maintaining security for the people of Afghanistan.
Ajax Vehicles: Testing
UIN 29735, tabled on 8 July 2021
Question
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department made an agreement with Millbrook Proving Ground on liability for potential injuries to assessors during the independent assessment process for the AJAX armoured fighting vehicle.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on
13 July 2021
I will write to the right hon. Member with the requested information shortly.
Ajax Vehicles: Testing
UIN 29736, tabled on 8 July 2021
Question
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Minister for Defence Procurement was first briefed on the potential effects on hearing identified by assessors of the AJAX armoured fighting vehicle.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on
13 July 2021
My office was first informed on 9 November 2020 that AJAX trials had been paused for a safety reason relating to noise. I requested a formal submission which I received on 13 November 2020 which referenced hearing concerns. The Health and Safety review which Ministers requested from the Permanent Secretary is ongoing.
Immigration: Afghanistan
Question for Home Office
UIN 902531, tabled on 12 July 2021
Question
Mr David Davis
Conservative
Haltemprice and Howden
Commons
What recent progress she has made with the Secretary of State for Defence on implementing the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
Answer
Kevin Foster
Conservative
Torbay
Commons
Answered on
12 July 2021
The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy was implemented on 1 April this year. We are working closely with the Ministry of Defence to accelerate the relocation of locally employed staff, and their families, from Afghanistan. A charter flight carrying 117 individuals arrived safely at the end of June, with more to follow this month.