House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
Asked on: 14 May 2019
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Finance
HL15745
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use funds made available from the UK’s contributions to EU defence spending to facilitate an increase in UK defence spending after Brexit.
A
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 29 May 2019
The first duty of any Government is the safety and security of the British people at home and abroad. That is why we have committed to spending at least 2% of our GDP on Defence every year of this Parliament. We prioritise our Defence spending to ensure the British people and UK interests are protected. This includes making contributions to support and uphold our international relationships with key partners. As set out in the Political Declaration on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Government has offered to cooperate closely on defence and security, as part of an ambitious security partnership, on a case-by-case basis, where of mutual benefit.
Q
Asked by Liz McInnes
(Heywood and Middleton)
Asked on: 20 May 2019
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Taliban
256386
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the increased Taliban presence in Afghanistan; and whether the security situation in Afghanistan remains a priority for his Department.
A
Answered by: Mark Field
Answered on: 29 May 2019
The British Government continues to closely monitor the security situation in Afghanistan. Our analysis is that the Taliban cannot win this conflict. The British Government believes a political peace settlement, between the Afghan government and the Taliban, is the only way to achieve lasting stability and security in Afghanistan. We welcome the progress made towards starting a credible peace process by the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad. We continue to urge the Taliban to take advantage of the current opportunity for peace, and to begin a genuine dialogue with the elected government of Afghanistan.
Her Majesty’s Government, along with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and other partners, also remains committed to supporting The Afghan Government and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces. This is vital to protect the Afghan population from the conflict and from terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and Daesh Khorasan Province. It is also an essential effort to ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a safe-haven for international terrorism.
Q
Asked by Caroline Lucas
(Brighton, Pavilion)
Asked on: 21 May 2019
Ministry of Defence
Trident Missiles
257003
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Dreadnought Programme 2017 Update to Parliament published 20 December 2017, what the procedure will be for taking the decision on replacing the warhead in this Parliament; if she will make it her policy for there to be a vote in Parliament on the decision; and if she will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Penny Mordaunt
Answered on: 28 May 2019
As set out in the 2017 and 2018 updates to Parliament, work is continuing to refine options and technical solutions to inform the Government’s decision on replacing the warhead. We will continue to provide updates as appropriate.
Q
Asked by Andrew Rosindell
(Romford)
Asked on: 21 May 2019
Ministry of Defence
New Zealand: Military Alliances
257023
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps she is taking to build defence and security co-operation with New Zealand.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 28 May 2019
New Zealand is a close defence partner. We work together on operations and defence capabilities, including the P8 Poseidon, while maintaining regular exchanges of personnel. HMS Montrose visited Auckland in January 2019. This relationship is further underpinned by regular meetings between senior officers and officials. We are also partners under the Five Power Defence Arrangements and as part of the Five Eyes Community.