Speeches by Twigg.

“We need to know what metrics you are considering and how we will be consulted as a Committee, because that has been a long-standing running sore for this Committee.”

“My question was, how will we be consulted?”

“Air Vice-Marshal, you have spoken quite a bit about combat air in various guises and lethality. What percentage of our combat air is available for operations?”

“But not with this Committee.”

“Can that be shared in private with the Committee? You can see where I am coming from—we are talking about which metrics.”

“This is the nub of the issue. There will be some things that can be shared in private and some in public, but when we are talking metrics, we are not talking about just public metrics; it is how we, as a Committee, hold the MOD to account. Obviously knowing the number of combat aircraft that are available for operation…”

“I congratulate my right hon. Friend on her statement, and welcome the investments in transport. Let me take her back to the proposed Liverpool-Manchester railway line, because it is important that this delivers for my constituents in Widnes and Halewood. In her discussions with the Mayor of the Liverpool city region an…”

“Order. I have been very generous, but the debate has a very narrow focus on advertising. I am sure that the shadow Minister understands that and will come back to that issue.”

“Well, you have, because you have not been willing to share it with us. You have been saying that you cannot share it with us, because it would affect national defence security.”

“But we know the forecast cost for Defence Nuclear Enterprise has risen by £10 billion up to 2033. That figure was announced at the PAC, so you can announce that figure, but not—”

“So you cannot give us the figures. You have just said there is a shortfall, because of the extra money. You can calculate that at the moment—is that what you are saying?”

“So what you are actually getting will be less, because you have to fund the shortfall as well, but we do not know what the shortfall is.”

“On the basis of the defence industrial plan and obviously maintaining a strong defence industrial base, what does that say for the future of Typhoon purchases? What is the plan?”

“I am sorry to interrupt, but I want to get this right. I get that things change, but you are saying, if I understand this correctly, that the MOD does not have a clue whether it has a surplus or shortfall in its equipment budget.”

“So you do not know what the shortfall or surplus is.”

“Sorry—you are saying no, you can’t, to which question?”

“On the defence equipment programme, there is £300 billion of defence equipment that we have effectively not been able to scrutinise since the change in 2022, when that was not published. Obviously, there is the investment plan, which is due to be published around autumn, I think. Mr Williams, you were asked a question …”

“Just for clarity, you cannot at the moment give any commitment or be clear that you will purchase more Typhoons, as of today.”

“I am talking about new Typhoons.”

“So we can expect an increase in the number of Typhoons being bought.”