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Defence Committee

Commons Select Committee

The Defence Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies.

The Committee has also a Sub-Committee to inquire into topics of its choosing. Currently on the Security of 5G. Find out more about the Defence Sub-Committee.

Find out more about this committee

For information about the work of committees before 2020 please go to inquiries before 2020 and publications before 2020. For information on former committees before 2020, please visit former committees.

Committee news

Defence Committee to take evidence from US experts on the geopolitics of 5G

Questions will focus on the international response to Huawei's involvement in 5G setup, and the role of 5G in China's global ambitions

Publication of Correspondence with Secretary of State for Defence

Defence Committee publishes correspondence on the Armed Forces’ use of insect repellent as protection against coronavirus

New inquiry: Defence’s contribution to the UK’s pandemic response

Committee launches its inquiry into Defence’s contribution to the UK’s pandemic response

Committee to question experts on defence procurement and prosperity

Questions will explore procurement policy in relation to UK prosperity

Chair Tobias Ellwood writes to MoD seeking clarity on legislation on the prosecution of service personnel and veterans

Letter from Chair in response to Government response demands further clarity on key issues

Committee to publish Goverment response

Second Special Report of Session 2019-21 to be published

Defence Committee to question cyber security experts on 5G and Huawei in the UK

Questions will explore the risk to the UK's 5G network and infrastructure

Secretary of State questioned on Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Defence Committee questions Secretary of State on Coronavirus, the Integrated Review and historical allegations

Defence Committee welcomes delay to Integrated Review and announces new inquiry into coronavirus

Pause comes amid Government focus on coronavirus

Extension to written evidence submission deadline

Committee extends deadline for written submissions to inquiry

Government's integrated review of UK's security, defence, development and foreign policy examined.

Defence Committee hears from former senior defence personnel

Defence Committee launches Military Exercises and Duty of Care Inquiry: Further Follow Up

Defence Committee launch follow up inquiry to predecessor Committee's 2016 report

Defence Committee revives Procurement and Prosperity inquiry

Committee announces the relaunch of its Procurement and Prosperity inquiry from the previous Parliament

Committee welcome the Government’s commitment to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law

Chair Comments on Government's response

Defence Committee launches Sub-Committee on the security of 5G

Defence Sub-Committee to inquire into the security of the UK’s 5G network

Defence Committee membership agreed

See the committee membership for Parliament 2019

5 February 2020

Tobias Ellwood is the new Chair of the Defence Committee

The MP for Bournemouth East beat 4 other candidates to the Chair of the Defence Committee

30 January 2020

General Election 2019

Following the Dissolution of Parliament on 6 November 2019, all select committees have ceased to exist

6 November 2019

Defence Committee membership at the end of Parliament 2017-19

View the membership of the Committee at the end of the 2017-19 Parliament

5 November 2019

Committee take evidence on domestic threat of drones

Evidence session on the domestic threat of drones

24 October 2019