House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 02 September 2019
Ministry of Defence
Army
284345
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made any assessment of whether the founding of the 6th Division will affect the current operations of the 77th brigade.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 05 September 2019
The formation of 6th (UK) Division brings together five existing Army brigades, including 77th Brigade. The Division will enhance the Army’s ability to conduct intelligence, counter-intelligence and information operations as well as respond to electronic, cyber and unconventional warfare threats. The brigades involved include reserve units which will play a full part in 6th Division activity. No new funding has been allocated as this is a rebalancing of existing units not the creation of new ones.
Grouped Questions: 284459 | 285216 | 285217
Q
Asked by Lyn Brown
(West Ham)
[N]
Asked on: 02 September 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Trade Fairs
284852
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2019 to Question 280324 on Arms Trade: Trade Fairs, what engagement by Government Ministers will be provided to the Defence and Security Equipment International 2019 arms fair.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 05 September 2019
It is expected that Ministers from MOD, DIT and BEIS will attend Defence and Security Equipment International 2019 (DSEI). Last minute diary changes may supersede any arrangements made. Details of the Ministers who attended will be available after 13 September 2019.
Q
Asked by Vicky Foxcroft
(Lewisham, Deptford)
Asked on: 02 September 2019
Department for International Trade
Arms Trade: Trade Fairs
285384
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reasons she invited a delegation from Hong Kong to the Defence and Security Equipment International arms fair; and if she will make a statement.
A
Answered by: Graham Stuart
Answered on: 05 September 2019
The reason any country is invited to the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition is because it brings together manufacturers of defence and security equipment and prospective purchasers. It provides an opportunity for UK industry to demonstrate the wide range of products to potential overseas customers.
Hong Kong has recently confirmed that it is not attending.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 23 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Navy: Persian Gulf
280973
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the European-led maritime protection mission to be deployed in the strait of Hormuz will operate under the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 03 September 2019
The UK, along with the US and other allies is now participating in an International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) under a new mandate to mitigate the immediate threat to maritime shipping in the Gulf. This is not part of the Common Security & Defence Policy Framework.
The UK continues to be part of on-going conversations with international allies including European partners and the US on how best we can ensure maritime security in the Gulf and protect freedom of navigation.
Freedom of navigation is in every nation’s interest. It is unacceptable to illegally seize a ship going about legitimate business in an internationally-recognised shipping lane. The action we are taking is aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation is maintained.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 23 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Navy
281021
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the statement by the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip of 23 July 2019 that the UK will build more ships, what plans her Department has to expand the Royal Navy.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 03 September 2019
Our Royal Navy will soon take delivery of their second aircraft carrier, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, completing the Queen Elizabeth Class. She will be ably supported by cutting edge F-35 fighter jets. We are investing in a full new generation of submarines and Type 26 frigates which will equip the Royal Navy with world leading capabilities to defend British and our allies’ interests. We have already committed to building new Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and, as announced on 22 November 2018, will retain the Batch 1 OPVs. In addition, the winning bidder for the Type 31 will be announced shortly. The Government has also committed to increase the number of personnel in the Royal Navy, and will spend £64.1 billion on procurement and support of ships and submarines over the next decade.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 24 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Hercules Aircraft
281650
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what refitting and retrofitting has been performed on the 14 C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft to allow OSD to be extended for a further five years.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 03 September 2019
A number of activities are being undertaken to extend the out of service date of the RAF’s C-130J/C-130J-30 fleet to 2035. Work commenced in March this year to replace the centre wing sections of the aircraft. In addition, work is scheduled to commence next year to replace the current steel brakes with carbon ones, and additional modifications will also be made to upgrade aircraft avionics systems.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 24 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Hercules Aircraft: Bangladesh
281652
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the UK’s airlift capability since the sale of five UK-surplus Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft to Bangladesh.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 03 September 2019
The five aircraft sold to Bangladesh were surplus and awaiting disposal. Therefore, this sale has had no impact on the Air Transport fleet.
We have retained 14 C-130J aircraft, and A400M also provides an Air Transport role.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 24 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Military Aircraft: Sweden
281654
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans she has to collaborate with Sweden on combat air systems as a result of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on that matter with that country on 18 July 2019.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 03 September 2019
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments allows for additional activities, including contracts, to be taken forward. The next steps include development of a joint acquisition road map, identifying technologies to spiral from Gripen and Typhoon onto an future combat air system, research and technology co-operation and further Government and industry studies, particularly on cost modelling. These steps will inform both Governments’ decision-making process. For the UK, the next decision to be made is in quarter four of financial year 2020-21, following submission of the Outline Business Case.
Q
Asked by Gerald Jones
(Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)
[N]
Asked on: 24 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence: Equality
281807
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department’s recent report entitled the TIN 2.101 Defence Inclusivity Phase 2: The Lived Experience: Final Report and its summary.
A
Answered by: Johnny Mercer
Answered on: 03 September 2019
The Lived Experience report was commissioned to provide management information to inform future policy and decision making. There is a well-defined publication plan which accompanies the report encompassing academic journals, conferences and international presentations.
To publish the report would stop the Ministry of Defence benefiting from the analytical opportunities provided by peer review across different fora that these enable.
I will place a copy of the report in the Library of The House when the publication plan is complete.
Q
Asked by Nia Griffith
(Llanelli)
[N]
Asked on: 24 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
DSG Ashchurch: Asbestos
281669
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the presence of asbestos at Ashchurch military depot.
A
Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Answered on: 03 September 2019
Testing has indicated the presence of asbestos contamination in a number of buildings at the Defence Equipment & Support Ashchurch site, resulting in some building closures as a precaution. Personnel working at the site have been informed.
The programme of testing priority buildings is now complete and a number of buildings have been re-opened, allowing some operations to recommence. Testing of individual vehicles continues; this will inform the extent of cleaning required. A remediation programme has been developed to clean affected areas and initial measures have already been implemented. Contingency planning is in place to support defence activities.
Q
Asked by Neil Coyle
(Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Asked on: 25 July 2019
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Expenditure
282385
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government remains committed to spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence as a NATO member.
A
Answered by: Mark Lancaster
Answered on: 03 September 2019
The UK remains committed to spending at least 2% of our GDP on Defence. NATO estimate that we will spend 2.13% of our GDP on Defence in 2019-20.