08 Nov 24. Defence Committee: update on inquiries from the previous Parliament
The Defence Committee has decided to complete the following inquiries, which were left unfinished at the 2024 general election:
- Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK Defence
- Future aviation capabilities
- Service accommodation
- Defence in the Grey Zone
The Committee also intends to continue to monitor the Government’s progress on issues relating to Women in the Armed Forces.
The Committee does not expect to hold further evidence sessions on the first three inquiries listed above. Further sessions on Defence in the Grey Zone and Women in the Armed Forces will be announced in due course.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, said: “The 2024 general election brought to a halt valuable work by the committee across a range of important topics. We have now decided to pick this work up again. All those who took part in the inquiries can rest assured that their contributions will not go to waste.”
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
- To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote and (b) participate in multi-national procurement initiatives through NATO.
James Cartlidge – Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
- Since the UK launched the NATO Multinational Procurement Initiatives on missiles and munitions alongside a total of 14 European NATO allies, we have promoted UK-led cooperative procurement opportunities on the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) and the AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). We continue to work with partners and allies to promote and participate in MPIs across a range of capabilities. We are engaged with relevant NATO initiatives to ensure coherence.
Rt Hon Maria Eagle – Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
- To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope of the defence industrial strategy will be.
James Cartlidge – Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
- This Government recognises the vital role the defence industry plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the UK.
The scope of the Defence Industrial Strategy is being set to explore how to establish a better, more innovative and more resilient defence sector, enabling the UK to innovate at speed to help Ukraine defeat Russia and restock its armed forces; deter its adversaries; seize opportunities presented by the technologies of the future; as well as creating new partnerships and promoting defence exports.
Rt Hon Maria Eagle – Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
- To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to prioritise the UK’s capability in the space sector in the forthcoming defence industrial strategy.
James Cartlidge – Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
- The Government is committed to the development of the UK’s vibrant space sector which is a vital part of the economy. The Government has previously set out its intentions for space capabilities which will continue to be developed as this work evolves and informs our future strategy. Defence is identified as a key growth-driving sector in the recently published Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which is open for consultation on the Government’s proposed approach until 24 November.