Mr Calvin Bailey

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker—of course, I was referring to your views on the defence finance strategy, which I will take back to the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry. That strategy will arrive in December, and will be a staple part of making sure that we can deliver the defence investment plan and the strategic defence review. Of course, we recognise that defence R&D is not a silver bullet for the economic challenges facing the UK. It must form part of the broader strategy, encompassing greater oversight and fiscal responsibility. New funding for infrastructure and a fresh perspective on private wealth funds and venture capital is essential, as the hon. Member for Dorking and Horley made clear. However, innovation investment can provide a golden opportunity to advance two fundamental national objectives—I think these are the points that the hon. Member was making—by strengthening both our security and our growing economy. I will leave hon. Members with an example to illustrate that point. The UK’s DragonFire laser weapon programme did not emerge overnight. It is a product of more than two decades of investment in advanced weapon science and technology led by our scientists at DSTL and delivered in partnership with MBDA, QinetiQ and Leonardo. That long-term commitment and partnership has produced a world-leading directed-energy weapon—one capable of downing drones at a cost of £10 per shot, compared with the hundreds of thousands and, in some cases, millions of pounds that conventional air defence systems cost. The programme is backed by a £316 million contract to accelerate delivery of the capability to the Royal Navy and is sustaining about 560 skilled jobs and 30 apprenticeships across the UK, from Scotland to the south-west. DragonFire demonstrates the hon. Member’s point. It demonstrates why defence R&D matters. A sustained investment in science creates the knowledge, skills and industrial capacity that allows the UK to develop transformational military capabilities. It grows new sectors, supports high-value employment and strengthens our sovereign technological base. DragonFire is a powerful example of how investment in defence research and development can deliver military advantage and economic growth for decades. It supports British scientists, engineers and innovators. It creates highly skilled jobs, drives productivity and strengthens regional economies. It attracts private investment and helps secure the UK’s place as a leading technological nation in an increasingly competitive world, and it ensures that our armed forces have the capabilities they need to meet the threats of today and tomorrow. The Government recognise the critical importance of making the UK a technologically enabled defence power and ensuring that the economic benefits of innovation are felt in every postcode. Once again, I thank the hon. Member for securing this debate and commend the House’s continued interest in this important subject. Question put and agreed to.