Defence in Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 30 Jul 2021 Closed: 17 Jan 2024 Parliament page
Inquiry series The Committee has launched an inquiry series into Defence in Scotland. This began with an inquiry into the military personnel and military estate landscape in Scotland, and continues with ongoing inquiries into military shipbuilding in Scotland and Defence in the North Atlantic and the High North. The North … Read more
43 Recommendations
101 Conclusions
3 Reports
13 Oral sessions
2 Letters
20 Events
Activity timeline 41 events
10 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
5 Jun
2023
5 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
24 Apr
2023
24 Apr
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
27 Mar
2023
27 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
6 Mar
2023
Oral evidence sessions 13 sessions
Brigadier Chris Ordway · Ministry of Defence Clare Cameron · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon James Heappey · Ministry of Defence
Dr Adam Bower · University of St Andrews Professor Iain Woodhouse · University of Edinburgh Professor Jacques Hartmann · University of Dundee
His Excellency Sturla Sigurjónsson · Icelandic Embassy His Excellency Wegger Christian Strømmen · Norwegian Embassy
Dr Duncan Depledge · Loughborough University Dr Marc DeVore · University of St Andrews Dr Rowan Allport · Human Security Centre
Rear Admiral Rex Cox · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace · Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Paul Marshall CBE · Ministry of Defence
Hans Pung · RAND Europe Professor Keith Hartley · University of York
Ben Carpenter Merritt · Babcock Gordon McGuinness · Skills Development Scotland Ivan McKee MSP · Scottish Government John Howie MBE · Babcock International Rory McGregor · Scottish Government Scott McClelland · Scottish Government Sir Simon Lister · BAE Systems Naval Ships
Ben Carpenter Merritt · Babcock Ivan McKee MSP · Scottish Government John Howie MBE · Babcock International Oliver Waghorn · BAE Systems Sir Simon Lister · BAE Systems Naval Ships
Ian Waddell · The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) Kevin Craven · ADS Group - Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Richard Powell OBE · Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)
Damian Parmenter CBE · Ministry of Defence David Brewer · Defence Infrastructure Organisation Sherin Aminossehe · Ministry of Defence The Baroness Goldie DL · Ministry of Defence
Councillor Rod Cavanagh · Fife Council Fergus Murray · Argyll and Bute Council Keith Brown MSP · Scottish Government Kevin McGowan · Scottish Government Provost Peter Smaill · Midlothian Council Rhona Gunn · Moray Council Rory McGregor · Scottish Government
Dr Hina Khan · Spire Global Limited Dr Suzanne Costello · MCS Limited Jamie Mincher · Glenalmond Group John Howie MBE · Babcock Kevin Craven · ADS Group - Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Oliver Waghorn · BAE Systems Stephen McCann · Thales
Collette Musgrave · Army Families Federation Lieutenant General (retd) Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL · SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity Maria Lyle · RAF Families Federation Professor Phillips O'Brien · University of St Andrews Professor Trevor Taylor · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Sarah Clewes · Naval Families Federation
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
5 Recommendation Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The UK Government should set out its reasoning for selecting Team Resolute as the preferred...
The UK Government should set out its reasoning for selecting Team Resolute as the preferred bidder for building the new order of Fleet Solid Support ships. Specifically, it should confirm whether the bid from Team Resolute offered the lowest price … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that the decision to award the Fleet Solid Support ship contract to Team Resolute did not prioritise short-term savings, that Scottish shipyards are building Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, and that both Harland & Wolff and BMT have sites in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. It does not confirm whether Team Resolute offered the lowest price, citing commercial interests.
Scotland Office
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56 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
Prior to the announcement of the Batch 2 contract, the Defence Secretary informed the House...
Prior to the announcement of the Batch 2 contract, the Defence Secretary informed the House in a Written Ministerial Statement that there would be a 12-month delay to the Batch 1 frigates becoming operational, from October 2027 to October 2028. … Read more
Government Response
The response acknowledges the delay in the Initial Operating Capability date of the first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, due to a number of complex reasons including global challenges, and that work is underway to increase productivity and improve on the revised forecast Initial Operating Capability date.
Scotland Office
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60 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
As discussed in Chapter 2, in November 2022 the MOD took the decision to select...
As discussed in Chapter 2, in November 2022 the MOD took the decision to select Team Resolute as the preferred bidder for the Fleet Solid Support ships contract. The MOD did not select a bid from Team UK, a consortium … Read more
Government Response
The government defends its decision to award the Fleet Solid Support ship contract to Team Resolute, citing ongoing work in Scottish shipyards, investment in the UK, and adherence to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Scotland Office
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61 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
Sir Simon Lister of BAE told us that were the FSS vessels not to be...
Sir Simon Lister of BAE told us that were the FSS vessels not to be built in Scotland it would create a gap in the continuity of orders for workers in the Scottish warship industry, but added that this gap … Read more
Government Response
The government defends its decision to award the Fleet Solid Support ship contract to Team Resolute, citing ongoing work in Scottish shipyards, investment in the UK, and adherence to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 144 of 43 classified

Total 43 recs + 101 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
6 Apr 2023 From committee Letter to Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence at Ministry of Defence following up to the Government response to Defence in Scotland: military shipbuilding Report, dated 5 April 2023
Parliament page
7 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence at Ministry of Defence following up from Defence in Scotland: Military shipbuilding on 6 December 2022, dated 30 January 2023
Parliament page