17 Nov 23. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey to face questions
Evidence Session
Armed Force Readiness
Wednesday 22 November, 14.30, The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
On Wednesday 22 November, at 14.30, the Defence Committee will hold an evidence session hearing from Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey on Armed Forces. Mr Heappey will appear alongside Commander of the Strategic Command, General Sir Jim Hockenhull.
This session will examine the current readiness of the Armed Forces and ask whether the Forces have what they need to protect UK from threats. Questions are likely to focus on the increasing threat over the last two years, and whether this has altered the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) assessment of risk and readiness. The Committee may also discuss the levels of sustainment within each of the Services and whether the current stockpiles are sufficient.
Wednesday 22 November, 14.30:
- Rt Hon James Heappey MP – Minister for Armed Forces
- General Sir Jim Hockenhull – Commander of the Strategic Command
10 Nov 23. Public Accounts Committee.
Improvement of defence inventory management explored by PAC
Evidence Session?
Improving defence inventory management
Monday 13 November, 4pm, Committee Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) holds an evidence session on Improving defence inventory management at 4pm on Monday 13 November.
Based on a National Audit Office report on the topic, the Committee will question senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials on the management of the more than 740 m individual items of supplies and spare equipment it holds for immediate and potential use, described as ‘inventory’. This is valued at £10.8 bn.
The Committee found in February 2013 that the MoD faced serious problems in inventory management. These included the MoD not consistently disposing of stock no longer needed or seeing regular use, and wasting significant amounts of public money buying more inventory than it used.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has identified the need for improvement in this area as long ago as 1991, with the MoD inventory management historically suffering from fragmented accountability and processes and ageing IT systems.
Witnesses:
From 10am:
- David Williams CB, Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Defence
- Andy Start, Chief Executive Officer at Defence Equipment and Support
- John Farrow, Director of the Logistics and Support Operating Centre at Defence Equipment and Support
- Vice Admiral Andy Kyte CB, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support at Ministry of Defence