Speeches by Twigg.

“Unless I misunderstand you, you are basically saying that we have the covenant, but a lot of people have just ignored it for whatever reason. You are going to make them not ignore it and implement it. Is that what you are saying?”

“If the comments from across the Atlantic this week have reminded us of anything, it is that we should always keep at the forefront of our minds the bravery of our service personnel, not least in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan when serving alongside the US and other allies. I therefore ask my right hon. Friend…”

“It is hampering our efforts to rearm. Is that right?”

“You touched on security clearance earlier. How easy is it to get, and what problems is it causing if it is not easy? Has it got worse?”

“Before I come to the issue of security clearances, you have not really said anything about materials. What is your assessment of the availability of materials that we need to grow this defence industry at the speed required? We already know and it has been reported in the press, but, from your perspective, what is the …”

“Just so that we are clear, we get that there has been a challenge, but how significant is that in terms of being able to grow quickly? What are we talking about—a year, two or three? What does it mean on the ground in practical terms? That is what we are after.”

“I assume that there are other areas where you have challenges on security of supply and resilience.”

“But in terms of what was said about the increase in missiles?”

“I am like the rest of the Committee, in that we are very happy to take on the MoD and deal with its shortcomings. But, if you will forgive me, it seems to be all the MoD’s fault. What is it that you could do better? We have heard about the primes being a bit cumbersome, etc, but what is it that you could be doing bette…”

“What are the greatest challenges to the UK defence industry in terms of resilience and security of supply, particularly in relation to materials and people? Has that got worse or better in the last two or three years?”

“He said in the announcement that the significant increase in missiles is going to be a very big challenge for the industry, because you just do not have the people.”

“Is it a serious problem or a moderate problem?”

“The Prime Minister’s actions this week demonstrated again why UK leadership in defence and security and on Ukraine is crucial. I also agree with him that it is important to strengthen our relationship with the United States. In the coming months, will he consider whether we should be proposing to hit 3% spending before…”

“Order. As time is tight, I remind Members to keep interventions succinct.”

“Order. A lot of Members want to speak, so I will have to impose a time limit. I will first call Iain Duncan Smith, and then could Members bob for a few seconds longer than they would normally so that we can get everybody’s name on the list?”

“Order. Before I call Andrew Lewin, I will put an advisory two-minute limit on speeches. If that is not followed, I will impose a two-minute limit. I am sure colleagues will want to ensure that time is available for all others present.”

“Thank you for keeping to the two minutes, more or less. We should continue that trend.”

“I ask the Minister to leave a minute or so at the end, so that the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal can wind up.”

“I call Olivia Bailey to move the motion. I will then call the Minister to respond. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention in a 30-minute debate. I call Olivia Bailey.”

“May I just check that the Member has sought permission to speak?”