26 Oct 22. Secretary of State for Defence to be questioned by MPs. On Wednesday 2 November, at 14.30, the Defence Committee will question Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon. Ben Wallace MP, in the final session in its inquiry into the US, UK and NATO. The Secretary of State will appear alongside the Director of Euro-Atlantic at the Ministry of Defence, Clare Cameron, and Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General David Eastman. The session will likely explore the UK’s contributions to NATO soldiers and equipment, the accession of Finland and Sweden, industrial capacity of Western supply chains and the potential for escalation in Ukraine. Other questions may focus on political engagement with the US Administration and Congress, US defence equipment protectionism and export controls.
Witnesses:
From 14.30:
- Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence
- Clare Cameron, Director, Euro-Atlantic, Ministry of Defence
- Major General David Eastman, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence
26 Oct 22. A number of parliamentarians gathered in the House of Commons yesterday to recognise the important role Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play in keeping UK Defence moving.
Hosted by Leidos, the leading IT and logistics company, the ‘Supporting the Government’s Supply Chain’ event put the contributions of SMEs in the UK Defence supply chain front and centre for MPs and Lords to see.
James Gray MP, the sponsor of the event, noted in his speech the crucial role that SMEs play in the logistics of the defence community, highlighting how SMEs make up nearly 50% of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) supply chain for the Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) programme, managed by Leidos.
With the LCST programme providing essential services relating to the MOD’s materiel, the statistic underlines the vital role SMEs play in the UK Defence Sector every day.
James Gray MP said: “The relationship that has been built between UK Defence and SMEs has never been stronger, with SMEs never having played as crucial a role as they do currently. Through today’s event, Leidos has allowed MPs and Lords to hear for themselves the tireless work these businesses and their teams undertake, supporting not only the day-to-day activity of our military community but rising to the occasion when asked to support preparations for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral.”
Simon Fovargue, Chief Executive of Leidos UK and Europe said: “Through its stewardship of the vital LCST programme, Leidos has seen first-hand the immense contribution of SMEs in the Government supply chain. That’s why we’ve hosted this event today: to not only highlight the valuable work that goes into supporting UK Defence’s logistics, but to showcase the role of SMEs in this and show them just how much their contribution is appreciated.”
John Pearce, Chief Executive of Made in Britain said: “Like Leidos, at Made in Britain we believe UK manufacturers must be recognised and rewarded with a degree of prioritisation by procurement professionals across the private and public sectors – not just because they are making quality products nearer to where they’re needed, but because their businesses are aiming to achieve both environmental and social responsibility. Our mission, with close to 2,000 mainly SME members, is to make the case, every day, that these businesses deserve that priority. As such it has been a delight to be invited to participate in Leidos’ event today.”
27 Oct 22. CAEC publishes report “Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls.”
Today four Commons Committees, collectively known as the Committees on Arms Export Control, publish their joint report “Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls”.
Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)
The Committees acknowledge the hard and diligent work of the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) and welcome the ECJU Transformation Programme to improve transparency and customer experience for exporters. However, the report voices concern over the level of the unit’s engagement with stakeholders. The Committees are troubled by evidence regarding insufficient resources and technical knowledge within the ECJU and the reported reduction in technical experts accompanying compliance officers on visits.
Increased transparency on non-compliance and prosecutions needed
The Committees are concerned by the recent increase in the numbers of companies found to be non-compliant after a compliance revisit and the lack of information given in the Strategic Export Controls Annual Reports on specific companies and countries for findings of non-compliance. This raises questions over the effectiveness of compliance visits.
The report is concerned by the apparent low level of strategic exports and sanctions prosecutions and calls for data on convictions to be included in future Annual Reports.
Human rights and country case studies
The Committees call on the Government to show how it takes the list of human rights priority countries into account in licensing decisions and exercising export controls. The report spotlights countries of concern, including Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Russia and Turkey.
Post-Shipment Verification
Although the Committees recognise that it is not practicable to carry out post-shipment verification for all exports, it is disappointing that, despite the Government’s commitment to reviewing other countries’ process, this work has not progressed. It recommends that the Government instigate a pilot programme by 2025 of post-shipment verification and examine the potential benefits of the process.
Lack of Government co-operation
The report criticises the lack of co-operation and consultation by the Government with the Committees on changes to export controls, such as on the introduction of the new UK Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. The report expresses concern that this gives the impression that the Government do not attach the appropriate importance to parliamentary scrutiny of strategic export controls.
Chair of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, Mark Garnier MP, said: “Arms export controls are essential to our security, both at home and overseas. Without well-considered controls and robust enforcement, we risk arms falling into the hands of adversaries and those who do not share our values on protecting human rights around the world. Throughout this inquiry, the Committees on Arms Export Controls have struggled with an apparent lack of co-operation from Government, especially in respect of ministers appearing before us. Without a sufficient level of engagement and transparency from Government departments, constructive parliamentary scrutiny cannot take place. It is highly unusual, and wholly unacceptable, that the relevant Government departments did not see fit to submit written evidence at the start of our inquiry, instead submitting a one-page letter giving a very brief general overview. Departments and ministers should be aware of the poor impression this gives: that the Government does not attach importance to the scrutiny of this sensitive policy area. The ECJU provides a vital service and has worked extremely hard in the face of delays caused by covid-19. There is no doubt that the staff are dedicated and diligent. However, evidence of insufficient resources and staffing within the ECJU, in stark contrast to the welcome boost in staffing in HMRC, has caused concern amongst the Committees. We’ve also heard reports of a lack of technical expertise. Today we’ve called for the ECJU Transformation programme to examine the level of expertise within the unit and for technical experts to regularly attend compliance visits. The Committees are concerned by a sharp increase in companies deemed non-compliant especially following revisits. The Government must be more transparent on the reasons for non-compliance. Low levels of transparency over prosecutions and convictions raise questions for the Committees. We were disappointed that Government dismissed enforcement as a matter only for HMRC. If legislation is ineffective, this should be of concern to both Government and Parliament. We need regularly published data on convictions for export control violations. Safety, security and human rights should be at the heart of our arms export policy. We’ve called for the mainstreaming of human rights considerations into arms export controls policy and for its inclusion in the Strategic Export Controls Annual Reports.
“The swift action taken in response to the situation in Hong Kong is a strong example of best practice. When it comes to Russia, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, the picture is more complex. Government should learn lessons from experience in these countries and take a more strategic and proactive approach to arms export controls.”
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement
Question
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 October to Question 61778 on Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement, whether his Department has set the value of expected workshare to bidders.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 28 October 2022
Sensitive systems to be embodied in the Fleet Solid Support ships are defined as those that are subject to national security restrictions such as sensitive military communications equipment and defensive weapons.
In respect of Question 70998, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave him on 17 May 2022 to question number 72.
Ukraine: Artillery
Question
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has established a contract to replace the howitzer artillery guns provided to Ukraine.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 28 October 2022
The UK is proud to be leading the way in our support to the Ukraine. A wide variety of Military Equipment has been either gifted in kind or rapidly procured for Ukraine by the UK. Some of the equipment gifted from our own stocks will be replenished through contracts with suppliers, but other equipment does not require replacing as it is nearing the end of its in-service life.
Ajax Vehicles: Trials
Question
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to statement HCWS332 of 20 October on Armoured Cavalry Programme: Ajax Update, when he expects the User Validation Trials for Ajax to be completed.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 28 October 2022
The User Validation Trials are additional bespoke trials that aim to help establish the effectiveness of the proposed Ajax modifications to address the noise and vibration problems and thereby deliver a safe system of work under which to conduct Reliability Growth Trials. User Validation Trials consist of a combination of dynamic testing and detailed analysis of the results. The duration will be dependent on the results and the level of analysis required. I will, however, continue to ensure that the House is kept updated.
China: Armed Forces
Question
Dan Jarvis
Labour
Barnsley Central
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Chinese Government recruiting ex-British RAF jet pilots for training purposes on national security.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 27 October 2022
This practice poses a significant threat to UK and Western interests. We are taking a range of measures to dissuade current and former UK pilots from being recruited. We also want to ensure that China understands that our previous silence on this matter should not be interpreted as acceptance or approval of this activity.
We are issuing threat guidance to personnel at risk of being approached. We are reminding personnel of their obligations to protect sensitive information acquired during their tenure as crown or civil servants; we will be looking at options to tighten the contractual obligations of Service leavers. We are also encouraging the reporting of any recruitment activity targeting pilots or any other specialist area of Defence. The alert has been issued to relevant personnel across Defence, including to partners in defence industry. We are also actively sharing information with key allies.
RAF Saxa Vord: Telecommunications Cables
Question
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the damage sustained to the subsea cable to Shetland disrupted a) air defence radar and b) associated radios and data at RAF Saxa Vord.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 26 October 2022
The damage to the Shetland undersea cable has not impacted radar or radio data transmission to or from Remote Radar Head Saxa Vord.