Westminster Diary

Caroline Lucas asked the Secretary of State for Defence “with reference to the United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Dreadnought Programme 2017 Update to Parliament published 20 December 2017, what the procedure will be for taking the decision on replacing the warhead in this Parliament; if she will make it her policy for there to be a vote in Parliament on the decision; and if she will make a statement.”

Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for Defence, responded, “As set out in the 2017 and 2018 updates to Parliament, work is continuing to refine options and technical solutions to inform the Government’s decision on replacing the warhead. We will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”

Lord Taylor of Warwick asked the Government “what assessment they have made of recent escalating diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran.”

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, responded, “We are concerned by the risk of unintended escalation between the United States and Iran. That is why we are speaking to all parties and specifically advising Iran – using our diplomatic relationship – that escalation is not in their interest. We are also concerned by the potential of further tension as a result of the failure of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We are clear that maintaining this deal is important to our national security interests; the UK Government is working with our European partners to ensure it is upheld as long as Iran continues to meet its nuclear commitments in full.”

 

Parliamentarians will return on the Tuesday 4th of June.

Full text available here.

Jonathan Edwards asked the Secretary of State for Defence “if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of potential late changes to the Dreadnought submarine design. What assessment she has made of the effect of delays to Dreadnought submarines on the out of service date for Vanguard submarines.

Stuart Andrew Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence responded “The design and build of the Dreadnought class submarines continues. The programme remains on track to enter service in the early 2030s, it remains within its budget. The build phase for the entire class will take approximately 20 years. The Dreadnought programme will ensure the United Kingdom has a credible, independent and capable nuclear deterrent out to the 2060s.”

Jonathan Edwards asked “Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the effect of delays to the Astute submarine programme on the delivery of the Dreadnought programme.”

Stuart Andrew replied “The Dreadnought submarine programme remains within budget and on track to deliver the first boat in the early 2030s.”

Jonathan Edwards asked “the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps her Department in taking to tackle delays to the Vanguard submarine maintenance schedule. What estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of delays to the Vanguard submarine maintenance schedule.”

Stuart Andrew replied “The Ministry of Defence is committed to working closely with Babcock to safely deliver submarine support work, including our major planned maintenance projects. With Babcock, we are employing robust programme management techniques to deliver the HMS VANGUARD planned period of deep maintenance and refuel work. I am withholding the estimated cost as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.”

Jonathan Edwards asked “the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of upgrading docks at Devonport as part of the UK nuclear programme.”

Stuart Andrew responded “The Ministry of Defence continues to undertake work to define the future infrastructure requirements at Devonport to deliver the submarine programme safely and securely. We are currently conducting negotiations with industry partners.”

Jonathan Edwards asked “the Secretary of State for Defence, if she will publish the full-life costings of all elements of the UK nuclear programme.”

Stuart Andrew responded “The Ministry of Defence does not, and has no plans to, routinely publish whole life costs for projects, nuclear or otherwise, beyond what is already published in reports such as the Defence Equipment Plan, Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts, and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s Annual Report on Major Projects.”

In Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions in the House of Commons, Wera Hobhouse asked Jeremy Hunt, “The ongoing tensions between Iran and the US concern many of my constituents, particularly those who would like to see a world without nuclear weapons. Is the Secretary of State considering making the UK a signatory to the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons?”

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Hunt, responded “We are strong supporters of nuclear non-proliferation. We think it is one of the biggest and most important things achieved since the nuclear non-proliferation treaty of 1970. In this area, we take a different approach from the US, and I raised those concerns very openly with Mike Pompeo yesterday.”

Lord West of Spithead asked “Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the fact that the Government of Iran have given 60 days’ notice that they intend to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and restart their nuclear weapons programme, what steps they are taking to mitigate the increased risk of conflict in the region.”

Full text available here.