The MoD awarded Capita the £500m contract to run 69 defence fire stations around the world after Capita beat Serco for the contract. Serco had a slightly lower risk rating, according to MoD grading system.

Capita has £1.8bn worth of government contracts over the next eight years. Last month Capita raised £662m in a rights issue following a profit warning that wiped £1bn off its value.

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Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood is responding to an urgent question from Labour shadow minister Fabian Hamilton on the awarding of the Defence, Fire and Rescue Project contract to Capita.

Reports have suggested, external the outsourcing firm, which has experience considerable financial difficulties, was handed a new contract to run military fire and rescue services by the government despite being given highest possible risk rating.

Mr Ellwood says the contract will deliver improvements and savings for the project, and that "safeguards are in place to ensure that there is no break in service provision".

"I can assure Parliament that the proposed contractual arrangements have been subject to the full range of testing and scrutiny across government to ensure that the services will be delivered in a sustainable and resilient manner.

"Under no circumstances will there be any compromise over the safety of personnel."

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The House moves to questions for the Attorney General.

The first question concerns forced marriage, with Conservative Philip Davies raising the issue of male forced marriage following the first issuing of a male forced marriage order. Solicitor General Robert Buckland says the rules have been updated to include male victims as well.

Conservative Rebecca Pow asks why there is such a struggle to secure FGM prosecutions, and Mr Buckland lists a number of reasons why it is difficult for these cases to lead to prosecution but says work is being done to include that.

Labour's Kate Green points out a number of victims of forced marriage are vulnerable people with disabilities, and the solicitor general thanks her for raising the issue and says work is being done to support these people but he will look into this further.

DUP MP Jim Shannon asks what is being done to support victims after forced marriage, Mr Buckland says work is going on to ensure authorities not only signpost victims to support, but also help them access it.

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Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Tom Watson asks what is being done to further restrict advertising of junk food on television.

Matt Hancock replies to say he is working with all stakeholders, including the Health Department and advertisers to move work forward. He suggests that most important are those measures that encourage 'reformulation' so that everyone benefits from eating healthier food.

Mr Watson points out that children spend far more time online now rather than watching TV and says companies like YouTube are "less regulated, less responsible and less transparent".

He asks what is being done to address online advertising.

Mr Hancock says the government's approach needs to take that into account.

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Next up it's Tory MP Bob Seeley, who asks what steps are being taken to support the museums sector. Minister Michael Ellis lists the ways in which museums are being funded.

Labour's Barry Sheerman asks what the government is doing to make museums more affordable for people from poorer backgrounds, Mr Ellis says it's the government's policy that museums be free.

Tory Chris Green and SNP Hannah Bardell both ask what is being done to support Glasgow School of Art following the fire this weekend.

Mr Ellis says they're in constant discussions as to how the government can help, and responds to Ms Bardell's question regarding Glasgow's bid to host Channel 4 saying that it's up to Channel 4 where they have their offices.

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Labour's Virendra Sharma gets us started with a question about the cost-effectiveness of National Citizen Service funding, to which DCMS Secretary Matt Hancock says the service generated over £2 in benefits for every £1 spent last year.

Mr Sharma responds, asking whether the high number of senior administrators employed by the service is in line with the values.

Mr Hancock says they are looking to improve its administration but asserting his continued support for the service. Around 99,000 people participated in the service last year, and they're looking to increase that number.

It's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons this morning.

Backbench MPs have the chance to question Culture Secretary Matt Hancock and his team until about 10.10am, when the question session turns to questions to the attorney general.

After months of debate, the EU (Withdrawal) Bill clears Parliament and goes for Royal Assent.

The government has avoided defeat in the EU Withdrawal Bill, over Parliament's role in the Brexit process, winning the vote by 319 to 303.

Conservative rebels wanted to ensure MPs had the power to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

With the vote on a knife-edge, assurances were accepted that MPs will have a meaningful say in the process.

Dominic Grieve, leader of the would-be rebels, said the "sovereignty of Parliament" had been acknowledged.

The Lords later nodded the decision through without a vote, and the bill will proceed to Royal Assent.

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Leader of the Lords Baroness Evans of Bowes Park says this has been "debated at length" and the bill is now very different as a result of amendments tabled by the Lords.

She asks the Lords to respect the decision of the Commons, and to pass this final version of the bill without the Grieve amendment.

This is agreed to without division.

With that, the Lords adjourns.

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Conservative Lord True says he notes the empty benches of the Labour party, something which he says happens when they think they can stop the bill, but not when they can't win an amendment.

He says if others still want to oppose this bill, then "let them divide this House" and show the public where they stand.

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Leader of the Lib Dem peers, Lord Newby, says "it is hard to believe" that this may be the last time the Lords debates the EU Withdrawal Bill.

"There is now a battle of spin" as to whether or not the government or the rebels have won, and he says he wishes that Dominic Grieve had support his own amendment this afternoon.

He says that the events this week "shows the contempt" that this government has for Parliament.

"At every turn its demonstrated its only consistent characteristic, the determination to survive to another day," he says.

"The can cannot be kicked down the road forever," he states.

"We will not rest until we have stopped Brexit," he finishes.

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Shadow Brexit spokesperson Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town says the Commons has considered their amendments, even though they have not been agreed to.

She says that at this point, the bill now has provision for Parliament to vote on the final deal, which was something not in the first version of the bill.

She hails this as a "major concession" from the government, something which would not have been possible unless the amendment was sent back on Monday.

The Lords "have been heard" "to quite a large extent" on this matter, she finishes.

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The Lords has returned to consider Commons amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Lord Adonis begins his speech by complaining that Lords have not had enough time to consider David Davis's amendment papers as the papers were not available to the Chamber in the past few hours and Hansard has not published the record yet.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the Lords, says that this is the one remaining amendment still to be agreed on in the bill.

The government amendment in lieu sets out structures in law and assurances to Parliament if no deal is reached, she says.

"Respectfully I submit, that your Lordship's House has done its job," she says, adding that the Lords should "respect their vote" in the Commons on this matter.

Both sides have claimed victory, as Theresa May sees off a rebellion by Tory MPs over Parliament's role in the Brexit process.

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The House of Lords returns to work to discuss this afternoon's decisions in the Commons.

They'll be debating the Commons vote, rejecting the amendment laid by Dominic Grieve, by a majority of 16.

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The House of Lords has adjourned briefly before changes made to the EU Withdrawal Bill in the Commons earlier today must be considered.

The Commons rejected Viscount Hailsham's "meaningful vote" amendment, and Dominic Grieve did not press his amendment, although it was voted on after being selected by the Speaker, John Bercow.

The Lords will return at 7:30pm to debate the Commons changes to the bill.

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Former Brexit rebel Nicky Morgan says today's vote result on the EU Withdrawal Bill is the result of a lot of discussion "on both sides", with the bill changed in ways the government would not have expected three weeks ago.

"What's been confirmed today is the sovereignty of Parliament."