21 Jul 15. The Defence Committee published the following Special Reports on Wednesday 22 July:
* Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2013–14: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2014–15, HC 365
* Re-thinking of defence to meet new threats: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2014–15, HC 366
The Reports will be on the Committee’s website, www.parliament.uk/defcom from 12.01 am and copies may be purchased from The Houses of Parliament Shop (12 Bridge Street, Westminster, London, SW1A 2JX, Tel: 020 7219 3890).
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Asked by Lord Jones
Asked on: 16 July 2015
Ministry of Defence
Future Large Aircraft
HL1563
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have concerning the performance of the A400M aircraft during its proving tests.
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 23 July 2015
Airbus Defence and Space have conducted, and continue to undertake, flight trials using their own aircraft in support of the multinational A400M Atlas programme, and the results are shared with partner nations. The results of these trials are subject to independent surveillance by multinational airworthiness bodies, and have also formed the basis of the evidence scrutinised by the European Aviation Safety Agency prior to the decision to grant a type certificate to the aircraft, engine and propeller.
Trial activity is ongoing, and is an essential part of the continuing work to develop the advanced military capabilities of this new aircraft in accordance with agreed capability milestones.
Asked by Lord Jones
Asked on: 16 July 2015
Ministry of Defence
Future Large Aircraft
HL1564
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people in the United Kingdom are employed in the construction of parts for the A400M aircraft.
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 23 July 2015
The Ministry of Defence does not collect this type of information. However, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has estimated that the supply chain for the A400M Atlas aircraft has created or secured work for some 8,000 people in the United Kingdom.
Asked by Sir Nicholas Soames
(Mid Sussex)
Asked on: 16 July 2015
Ministry of Defence
Defence
7548
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to develop the UK’s technological edge in military capabilities; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by: Mr Philip Dunne
Answered on: 23 July 2015
This Government is committed to a 1% increase above inflation in the equipment budget until the end of this Parliament, investing over £160 billion in the next decade. This includes investing in new joint strike fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, hunter killer submarines, two aircraft carriers and the most advanced armoured vehicles. The Ministry of Defence also invests over £400 million annually in research to access cutting-edge technologies.
Asked by Lord Black of Brentwood
Asked on: 16 July 2015
Ministry of Defence
Unidentified Flying Objects
HL1550
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of claims of new evidence from Colonel Charles Halt, whether they will confirm that United Kingdom radar operators tracked unidentified flying objects over Rendlesham Forest in December 1980; whether the 18 Ministry of Defence unexplained flying object files that have yet to be released to the public contain information about these radar reports; and whether the original radar tapes will be released to the public.
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 22 July 2015
All 18 files have been examined by officials and I can confirm that Rendlesham Forest is mentioned. However, this is only in relation to replies to parliamentary questions and responses to enquiries from members of the public advising that the Ministry of Defence could not confirm Colonel Halt’s account.
None of the files contain radar reports or any type of tapes.
Asked by Dr Julian Le