09 Nov 23. Minister Andrew Murrison to appear for Women in the Armed Forces session.
Evidence Session
Women in the Armed Forces follow-up
Tuesday 14 November, 10.30, Committee Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
On Tuesday 14 November, at 10.30, the Defence Committee will hold an evidence session following up on its inquiry into Women in the Armed Forces.
The session will ask whether enough progress has been made since the publication of the Defence Committee’s report “Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life”.
The session is likely to explore the recent publication of two reports on misconduct in the Red Arrows, including the Non-Statutory Inquiry, and media reports on misconduct within the Submarine Service. The Committee may also examine the low conversion rates in the military courts in the cases of sexual assault and rape. The session is likely to also cover the impact of the removal of the Chain of Command from the Service Complaints System.
This session follows the publication of the first part of written evidence on the experiences of women in the Armed Forces. This includes submissions from the RAF Families Federation, the Royal British Legion, the Service Complaint Ombudsman and the Ministry of Defence.
10.30, Tuesday 14 November:
- Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP – Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families
- Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord
- Air Marshal Paul Lloyd, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
- Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff
09 Nov 23. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to face questions.
Evidence Session
Work of the Ministry of Defence
Wednesday 15 November, 14.30, The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
On Wednesday 15 November, at 14.30, the Defence Committee will hold its first evidence session with the new Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP.
The Defence Secretary will appear alongside the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) David Williams. The panel will also include Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability), Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, and Director General Security Policy, Paul Wyatt.
The session will likely cover threats and defence priorities, as well as the operational and financial challenges that the Armed Forces face. Questions will likely focus on balancing priorities and resources in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East and Ukraine. It may also address issues relating to Service personnel, in particular falling satisfaction rates and problems around Service accommodation. The session may also address concerns around what the Defence Committee has recently described as a “broken” MOD procurement system.
14.30, 15 November 2023:
- Rt Hon. Grant Shapps – Secretary of State for Defence
- David Williams – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence
- Lieutenant General Rob Magowan CB CBE – Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability) (DCDS FinMilCap) Ministry of Defence
- Paul Wyatt – Director General Security Policy (DG SecPol), Ministry of Defence
09 Nov 23. Airbus UK and Thales to discuss operations in Wales with MPs.
Evidence Session
Defence industry in Wales
Wednesday 15 November at 10.00, Committee Room 5
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
Airbus UK and Thales will appear before the Welsh Affairs Committee, marking the second evidence session as part of the inquiry ‘Defence industry in Wales.’
The companies will offer an insight into their operations in Wales, focusing on the opportunities to sustain and grow their businesses, and the attractiveness of Wales to defence and cyber security companies. MPs will also wish to discuss with Airbus UK and Thales their links to Welsh SMEs and universities, and their relationships with the UK and Welsh Governments. Airbus UK directly employs 5,500 people within Wales, and its activity in Wales supports a further 11,600 Welsh jobs and contributes £311m to Wales’ GDP. Meanwhile, Thales directly employs around 100 people, and its activities support a further 700 jobs and contributes £47m to Wales’ annual GDP.
Witnesses
From 10.00:
- Oriel Petry, Senior Vice President, Airbus UK
- Claire Mitchell, Director, Secure Communications and Information Systems, Thales