01 Jul 16. Defence Committee – Russia: Implications for UK defence and security. The Defence Committee will be publishing its Report, Russia: Implications for UK defence and security on Tuesday 5 July at 00.01am
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 15 June 2016
Ministry of Defence
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
40788
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential merits of procuring an alternative to the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft before the decision on that procurement was made.
A
Answered by: Mr Philip Dunne
Answered on: 29 June 2016
As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces said on 23 June 2015 in response to Question 3244 to the hon. Member for East Lothian (George Kerevan) the capabilities required from a Maritime Patrol Aircraft were studied by the Department for two and a half years before the UK’s requirement for the capability was confirmed in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. During that time the Boeing P-8 Poseidon and a number of other potential platforms were assessed against their ability to meet the Department’s Key User Requirements, using a combination of scientific, technical and operational analysis, as well as industry’s ability to deliver the programme in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Q
Asked by Ian Murray
(Edinburgh South)
[N]
Asked on: 24 June 2016
Ministry of Defence
Type 26 Frigates
41166
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the timetable for work to commence on building the new Type 26 Frigate on the skills base in the affected shipyards.
A
Answered by: Mr Philip Dunne
Answered on: 29 June 2016
I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave during Defence questions in the House on 27 June 2016 to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Margaret Ferrier).
The Government have already invested £1.6 billion in the Type 26 programme. We will only enter into a contract once we are confident of the delivery schedule and the ability of the contractors to meet that schedule on a cost effective basis.
Q
Asked by Gareth Thomas
(Harrow West)
[N]
Asked on: 24 June 2016
Ministry of Defence
RAF Northolt
41229
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans in the next three years to stop flights into or out of RAF Northolt to enable work to reinforce or rebuild the runway at that base; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 29 June 2016
Plans are being considered to reinforce the aerodrome operating surfaces at RAF Northolt in that timescale, and to introduce improvements to the safety zones at either end of the runway with an engineered material arresting system. However, until the scope of works is fully defined, we are not in a position to identify what impact these planned works may have on flying activity at RAF Northolt.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 15 June 2016
Ministry of Defence
EU Battlegroups
40712
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what involvement UK armed forces have had with EU battle groups in the last three years; and how many UK armed forces personnel the Government has pledged to commit to those groups.
A
Answered by: Mr Julian Brazier
Answered on: 28 June 2016
The EU Battlegroup concept has Lead Nations on standby for six month periods. The UK was an EU Battlegroup Lead Nation from July to December 2013, and will be again from July to December 2016. The total number of UK personnel involved is 2,330. They remain under national control and direction at all times.
Q
Asked by Andrew Gwynne
(Denton and Reddish)
Asked on: 15 June 2016
Ministry of Defence
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
40743
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the upgrade of a Voyage