Speeches by Scrogham.

“Over recent years, we have seen a large increase in Russian activity of this type, and it is clear that the need for subsurface protection is critical and increasing. The UK sub fleet is built at BAE Systems in my constituency, and we play a vital role in countering this threat. Will the Secretary of State comment on t…”

“What is your assessment of our vulnerability to electrical interference? We see an awful lot in the media, particularly in terms of media interference, who owns the media, who is lobbying and who is donating to political parties, with that kind of competition between them. What kind of threat do you see there?”

“You mentioned that the Netherlands’ MoD have referred to themselves as leading from behind when it comes to these cyber threats. Is that something you would see as a benefit to us, and where do you assess the UK as sitting within that?”

“What is your assessment of our vulnerability to electrical interference? We see an awful lot in the media, particularly in terms of media interference, who owns the media, who is lobbying and who is donating to political parties, with that kind of competition between them. What kind of threat do you see there?”

“Welcome, Sir Alex, and thanks for your time. When it comes to countering hybrid threats effectively, what is the balance between using the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and other public and private bodies?”

“You mentioned that the Netherlands’ MoD have referred to themselves as leading from behind when it comes to these cyber threats. Is that something you would see as a benefit to us, and where do you assess the UK as sitting within that?”

“Welcome, Sir Alex, and thanks for your time. When it comes to countering hybrid threats effectively, what is the balance between using the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and other public and private bodies?”

“Do you have any insight into the factors behind that increase?”

“You seem to be of the opinion that it is more about people being able to complain more easily than there being more issues to complain about.”

“Would you say that there are any specific trends around the issues or complaints that are coming forward?”

“When you are looking at those individual issues, whether it is sexual harassment or something to do with their career progression, what would be the weighting to how many of those individuals are successful in their complaints?”

“Is the freeze on MOD hiring going to have an impact on bringing people into the Armed Forces Commissioner’s office? Will it have an impact on recruitment?”

“You noted an increase in complaints since 2022. Has that trend continued into 2024?”

“T3. In Barrow and Furness, we often joke that we live at the end of the longest cul-de-sac in the UK. The A590 and the A595 are lifelines for people in my constituency. Our future growth, the nuclear deterrent and the emergency services depend on the roads working well, but we are often cut off. Will the Minister there…”

“It is of big importance for me that we notice that, within that community, we very much have the haves and the have-nots. How are you assessing how it works to deliver that value?”

“Again, I am aware of the time, so, very briefly, does the MOD have a standardised approach for assessing the social impact for communities in defence contracts? If so, what have been the findings of such analysis?”

“Can I just get a quick yes or no? Is it achievable in three years?”

“How achievable do you think it is in three years?”

“Earlier this year, the Chief of the General Staff said that he wants to double the capability within three years and triple it by the end of the decade. That is specifically the Army’s fighting power. Having given at least 60 of the AS-90 Howitzers to Ukraine and having only had 14 back from Sweden, how achievable do y…”

“I would be more interested in the short term. I understand getting rid of redundant kit, but what are your thoughts on the short-term capability for deterrence right now? Not planning for the future but, right now, what has that done to impact on that?”