House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford
Asked on: 11 December 2014
Public Expenditure
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the underspend of the Ministry of Defence in the financial years 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 and prospectively in 2014–15; and how much of the underspend in each of those years has been rolled forward and made available for additional spending by the Ministry of Defence in subsequent years.
Answered by: Lord Astor of Hever
Answered on: 23 December 2014
Comparable figures for financial year 2010-11 are not available as the Government had not, at that time, introduced The Clear of Line Sight initiative, which precludes analysis on a near cash basis for that financial year.
In 2011-12 the Ministry of Defence (MOD) underspent by £300 million and there was no budget exchange.
In 2012-13 the MOD underspent by £2.3 billion; £590 million was rolled forward into 2013-14, £1,706 million into 2014-15 and £21 million in 2015-16.
In 2013-14 the MOD underspent by £900 million, £100 million was rolled forward into 2014-15 and £700 million in 2015-16.
The MOD’s final outturn for 2014-15 will not be available until the end of the financial year.
Asked by Lord Chidgey
Asked on: 15 December 2014
Ministry of Defence
Military Aircraft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long they estimate it will take to procure an armed long-range anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance capability, based on a manned aircraft, after the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review has been completed.
Answered by: Lord Astor of Hever
Answered on: 23 December 2014
The time it would take to acquire such an aircraft would depend on the platform selected, the availability of funding, and commercial arrangements. It is therefore not possible to provide a specific timeline.
Asked by Baroness Tonge
Asked on: 10 December 2014
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Israel
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the appointment of General Eisenkott as Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Force; and what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning his Dahiyya Doctrine.
Answered by: Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Answered on: 22 December 2014
We are aware of Major General Eisenkot’s nomination to succeed Lieutenant General Gantz as the Chief of Staff for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). As he is the current Deputy Chief of Staff, we would therefore expect a degree of continuity. While we have not had any discussions with the IDF over the “Dahiyya” Doctrine, we would have expectations of Israeli military conduct being in full compliance with international law and therefore meeting the tests of military necessity, distinction and proportionality.