House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Keith Vaz
(Leicester East)
Asked on: 06 February 2017
Ministry of Defence
Yemen: Military Intervention
63105
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are embedded with or seconded to the national armed forces of other countries in the coalition participating in Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.
A
Answered by: Sir Michael Fallon
Answered on: 14 February 2017
Around 80 UK Service personnel are either embedded with or seconded to the national Armed Forces of the 10 countries involved in Operation RESTORING HOPE. No UK Service personnel are taking part in coalition operations in Yemen.
Q
Asked by Lady Hermon
(North Down)
Asked on: 07 February 2017
Ministry of Defence
Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland
63458
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to recognise the bravery and sacrifice of members of Army bomb disposal units who were killed or maimed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 14 February 2017
We recognise the debt and gratitude owed to all the Service personnel, and their families, who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community has long performed a particularly challenging and courageous role, including in Northern Ireland during the period 1969-2007.
Honours and decorations have rightly been bestowed on the EOD community in recognition of their selfless courage and commitment in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. In June 2016 the EOD Memorial at the National Arboretum was dedicated to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Q
Asked by Emily Thornberry
(Islington South and Finsbury)
Asked on: 07 February 2017
Ministry of Defence
Ukraine: Military Exercises
63388
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the UK military training programme in Ukraine; what assessment he has made of the effect of recent fatalities on the operational effectiveness of the Ukrainian armed forces; and what steps he is taking within the training programme to reduce the risk of further Ukrainian military casualties.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 14 February 2017
Through Operation ORBITAL, the UK continues to deliver valuable defensive, non-escalatory training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). The Secretary of State for Defence recently visited Ukraine and was able to hear first-hand how UK training is building resilience within the UAF and helping to save lives. The recent extension of Operation ORBITAL for a further year is a sign of continued UK support to Ukraine and its Armed Forces. We will continue to keep our support under regular review to maximise the effectiveness of the training that it delivers. Additionally, the UK has gifted first aid kits, warm weather clothing and body armour to the UAF, all of which aim to reduce the risk of Ukrainian military casualties and help to save lives.
I also offer my sincere condolences for the continued loss of life suffered by the UAF while defending their country.
Q
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
Asked on: 30 January 2017
Ministry of Defence
Defence Equipment: Procurement
HL5106
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the latest Ministry of Defence annual equipment plan has left the £5.8 billion contingency funding untouched.
A
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 13 February 2017
The Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan 2016-26 includes contingency funding of £5.25 billion. This is in addition to specific risk provision within individual project budgets of approximately £11 billion.
Due to project costings regularly being updated the total amount of contingency is variable.
I am withholding information relating to the use of contingency funds as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
We judge the