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
18 Oct
2023
Report published
21 Jul
2023
Report published
10 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
5 Jun
2023
Oral evidence
5 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
24 Apr
2023
Oral evidence
24 Apr
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
6 Apr
2023
Report published
6 Apr
2023
Correspondence
27 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
27 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
6 Mar
2023
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 13 sessions
5 Jun 2023
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Brigadier Chris Ordway · Ministry of Defence Clare Cameron · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon James Heappey · Ministry of Defence
24 Apr 2023
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Dr Adam Bower · University of St Andrews Professor Iain Woodhouse · University of Edinburgh Professor Jacques Hartmann · University of Dundee
27 Mar 2023
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His Excellency Sturla Sigurjónsson · Icelandic Embassy His Excellency Wegger Christian Strømmen · Norwegian Embassy
6 Mar 2023
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Dr Duncan Depledge · Loughborough University Dr Marc DeVore · University of St Andrews Dr Rowan Allport · Human Security Centre
6 Dec 2022
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Rear Admiral Rex Cox · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace · Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Paul Marshall CBE · Ministry of Defence
14 Nov 2022
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Hans Pung · RAND Europe Professor Keith Hartley · University of York
5 Sep 2022
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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
12 Jul 2022
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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
13 Jun 2022
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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)
21 Mar 2022
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Damian Parmenter CBE · Ministry of Defence David Brewer · Defence Infrastructure Organisation Sherin Aminossehe · Ministry of Defence The Baroness Goldie DL · Ministry of Defence
7 Mar 2022
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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
21 Feb 2022
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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
31 Jan 2022
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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
7 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The UK Government’s approach to procuring warships has shifted in recent years, and it is...
The UK Government’s approach to procuring warships has shifted in recent years, and it is no longer the default position that warships will be designed and built fully in the UK, which was of concern to some in the Scottish … Read more
Government Response
The MOD disagrees that its approach has shifted away from designing and building warships fully in the UK. They state the DSIS provides flexibility and considers long-term industrial impact, and the Shipbuilding Tsar will maximize UK content where possible.
Scotland Office
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6 Conclusion Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The Secretary of State told us that Team UK’s bid for the Fleet Solid Support...
The Secretary of State told us that Team UK’s bid for the Fleet Solid Support contract was “non-compliant” with the terms of the competition but did not give further details. We would welcome further information to help understand the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The MOD declined to provide further details on why Team UK's bid was non-compliant, citing commercial interests of the bidders.
Scotland Office
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20 Conclusion Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order...
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order of Fleet Solid Support ships could create a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry.
Government Response
The MOD disagrees that the Fleet Solid Support contract creates a gap in work for Scottish shipyards, citing ongoing Type 31 and Type 26 frigate construction. They claim delaying the build of Fleet Solid Support ships would put vital capability at risk.
Scotland Office
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28 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The Ministry of Defence should publish data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains, to...
The Ministry of Defence should publish data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains, to assist understanding of how the UK shipbuilding industry is structured. This should include regional breakdowns so that the extent of local supply chains and industry … Read more
Government Response
The MOD did not commit to publishing data on the composition of shipbuilding supply chains and instead outlined existing initiatives to understand and improve supply chain resilience.
Scotland Office
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59 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
Given the ongoing global uncertainties we ask the UK Government to provide annual updates on...
Given the ongoing global uncertainties we ask the UK Government to provide annual updates on the construction of the Type 26 vessels to both Houses of Parliament. We note that the Defence Select Committee has made a similar recommendation, but … Read more
Government Response
The MOD does not disclose details of losing bids in commercial competitions and states that the FSS contract award resulted from a fair and open competition, supporting the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Scotland Office
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62 Conclusion Rejected
Fourth Report - Defence in Scotlan…
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order...
The decision to select Team Resolute bid as the preferred bidder for the upcoming order of Fleet Solid Support ships could create a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry.
Government Response
The MOD does not agree that the decision to award the Fleet Solid Support contract to Team Resolute creates a potential gap in the workstream for the Scottish warship industry, citing ongoing construction of Type 31 and Type 26 frigates.
Scotland Office
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3 Conclusion Rejected
Seventh Report - Defence in Scotla…
Commit Ministry of Defence to updating Arctic defence strategy every five years.
The Ministry of Defence should commit to updating its Arctic defence strategy every five years, to reflect the strategic acceleration in the region and to bring it into line with the FCDO’s Arctic Strategy for the whole of Government, which … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to update its Arctic defence strategy every five years, stating its 2022 strategy is designed for 10 years and that reviews are conducted regularly, but not on a fixed five-year cycle. It noted the Defence Command Paper had already been published.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 144 of 43 classified
Accepted 60
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 67
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 7
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
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