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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

January 31, 2020 by

House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers

Q

Asked by Chris Evans

(Islwyn)

Asked on: 21 January 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Georgia: Peacekeeping Operations

6098

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK will continue to take part in the EU monitoring mission in Georgia after leaving the EU on 31 January 2020.

A

Answered by: Christopher Pincher

Answered on: 29 January 2020

The United Kingdom currently has six secondees in the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia. Whilst the Withdrawal Agreement provides for continued British participation in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations and missions during the transition period, all six will leave the mission when their current contracts come to an end on 31 January. This follows decisions taken by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to meet the operational needs and ensure the business continuity of the mission.

The United Kingdom is proud to have contributed personnel to EUMM Georgia since its inception in 2008, and we continue to support the objectives of the mission.

Q

Asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

Asked on: 21 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

HL617

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact, if any, on the budget of the MoD there has been as a result of the variation in the cost of the F-35 Lightning aircraft.

A

Answered by: Baroness Goldie

Answered on: 29 January 2020

F-35 aircraft unit costs continue to reduce as planned, and the programme remains within its overall cost approval. Any variations in the aircraft costs would not impact the overall Defence budget.

Q

Asked by Martyn Day

(Linlithgow and East Falkirk)

[N]

Asked on: 22 January 2020

Department for Exiting the European Union

EU Defence Policy

6754

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps his Department plans to take to support UK companies contracted by the EU for work in relation to the Common Security and Defence Policy during the transition period of the UK leaving the EU.

A

Answered by: James Duddridge

Answered on: 29 January 2020

DExEU has organised over 700 recorded engagements with business and civil society stakeholders from every sector of the British economy since July 2016 and to date DExEU Ministers have attended over 120 roundtable meetings on a wide range of topics. The Department continues to engage with businesses as we approach exit day on 31 January.

Additionally, the UK will continue to participate in programmes funded under the current 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) until their closure. This means that the vast majority of programmes will continue to receive EU funding across the programme’s lifetime. In many cases, funding will continue until after 2020 and the end of the Implementation Period.

Government will continue to hold regular forums with intermediaries, trade associations and business organisations to support them through the transition period.

Q

Asked by Lord James of Blackheath

Asked on: 15 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

EU Defence Policy

HL456

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any agreements have been made with the EU about British participation in (1) the establishment of a European Defence Union, (2) any military command and control procedures, (3) the future of Five Eyes, (4) the procurement of military equipment from an EU-wide organisation, and (5) the transfer of nuclear technology licensed to the UK by the United States; if so, what are the details of any such agreements; and whether any such agreements are separate to any agreements relating to the UK’s departure from the EU.

A

Answered by: Baroness Goldie

Answered on: 28 January 2020

The UK has no agreement with the EU about British participation in the establishment of a ‘European Defence Union’.

The Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration provide the option, but no obligation, for the UK to continue to contribute to CSDP operations and missions on a voluntary basis, and where of benefit to UK interests. This does not undermine the UK’s sovereignty, our command or control of our Armed Forces nor does it oblige us to participate in a ‘defence union’ or any EU defence initiatives.

The UK will retain full sovereign control over its defence, intelligence services and decision-making after leaving the EU. The UK will also retain control over the deployment of its Armed Forces and their equipment. Any future security partnership negotiated with the EU would reflect this position.

The UK currently has no agreements with the EU on military command and control procedures other than those in the Withdrawal Agreement referring to continued participation in CSDP operations and missions during the Implementation Period. UK personnel remain under UK sovereign command at all times.

The UK does not have any agreements with the EU on British participation in the ‘Five Eyes’ community. Any future relationship agreement with the EU will not undermine our partnership with the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The intelligence cooperation between these ‘Five Eyes’ partners is the broadest, deepest and most advanced of any grouping of nations and we are committed to maintaining it.

The UK has not entered into any agreements with the EU to participate in the procurement of military equipment from EU-wide organisations. There are no agreements with the EU about British participation in transfer of nuclear technology licensed to the UK by the US.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5345

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2019 to Question 223964, Unmanned Air Vehicles, what the cost was of repairing the Reaper drone after that incident; which organisation carried out those repairs; and whether that contract was subjected to an open procurement process.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

As the air vehicle was nearing the end of its viable flying life at the time of the incident, it was not considered value for money to repair the air vehicle. Therefore, no repair costs were incurred.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5346

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2019 to Question 223964, Unmanned Air Vehicles, where that Reaper drone was operating over at the time of that incident.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

Reaper was operating in support of Op SHADER at the time of the incident. I am withholding further details as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5348

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2019 to Question 223964, Unmanned Air Vehicles, what the cost to the public purse was of the purchase of that Reaper drone.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

Reaper was procured as a Foreign Military Sale from the United States; the cost of the air vehicle was approximately $5.9 million. Role equipment onboard and modifications cost around $7.7 million, but the majority of these were not damaged and were able to be recovered and reused.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5349

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2019 to Question 223964, Unmanned Air Vehicles, what the average lifespan is of a Reaper drone.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

The lifespan of a Reaper is 20,000 flying hours.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5350

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to develop sovereign defence capability through unmanned aerial vehicles.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

We continue to encourage and contract for innovation in unmanned aircraft technology from Industry. A range of UK companies in the unmanned aircraft and drones fields, including small and medium-sized enterprises, have been contracted to support DSTL research, Rapid Capabilities Office development programmes, and sub-systems support to our larger Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

Q

Asked by Mr David Davis

(Haltemprice and Howden)

Asked on: 21 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

BAE Systems: East Riding

6017

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support employment at BAE Systems in Brough.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

While employment at Brough is a matter for BAE Systems, the Ministry of Defence remains engaged with the company to understand its plans for the site. Export growth is particularly important for sustaining jobs, which is why the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems and other Government Departments in pursuit of various export opportunities.

Q

Asked by Nia Griffith

(Llanelli)

[N]

Asked on: 23 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

HMS Queen Elizabeth

7177

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the cost of the build and commission for the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 28 January 2020

The final cost of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier programme is the subject of ongoing commercial negotiations with the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, and I am therefore withholding our current cost estimate as its disclosure at this time would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

216 Squadron

5351

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department’s timetable is for making a decision on the future location of 216 Squadron.

A

Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Answered on: 27 January 2020

Initially 216 Squadron will be based at RAF Waddington with plans still being developed for the longer term.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

216 Squadron

5352

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects 216 Squadron to become operationally capable.

A

Answered by: Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Answered on: 27 January 2020

Number 216 Squadron will be reformed on 1 April 2020 however, the capabilities associated with 216 Squadron are still under test and development.

Q

Asked by Mr Stephen Morgan

(Portsmouth South)

[N]

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Early Warning Systems

5523

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the timely completion of the (a) Carrier Strike project and (b) Crowsnest radar function.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 23 January 2020

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with its contractors to manage programme performance and the remaining schedule of activity for Carrier Strike and CROWSNEST. Initial operating capability for Carrier Strike remains on track for December 2020 and all components of the programme, including F-35 and CROWSNEST, are due to deploy on the inaugural Carrier Strike Group deployment in 2021.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

[N]

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Unmanned Air Vehicles

5344

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 February 2019 to Question 223964, Unmanned Air Vehicles, whether similar mechanical issues have been reported on other Reaper drones.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 23 January 2020

There have been no similar mechanical issues. Following initial investigation of the incident involving Reaper ZZ201 in October 2015, the Ministry of Defence modified the undercarriage on the rest of the fleet to minimise the likelihood of a reoccurrence of this type of mechanical issue.

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

[N]

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Ministry of Defence

Household Cavalry: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

5354

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department did not meet the planned date for delivering Ajax armoured vehicles to the Household Cavalry; and whether that delay will affect plans for the vehicle to be operational by the mid-2020s.

A

Answered by: James Heappey

Answered on: 23 January 2020

Due to the complex nature of integrating the very latest technology into the Army’s first fully digital armoured fighting vehicle, the delivery of Ajax armoured vehicles to the Household Cavalry did not begin on the date we had planned. Delivery will begin shortly and we do not expect our plans for the vehicle to be operational by the mid-2020s to be affected by this.

Q

Asked by Stewart Hosie

(Dundee East)

[N]

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Staff

5363

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in her Department have more than (a) one (b) three and (c) five years experience in negotiating trade deals.

A

Answered by: Conor Burns

Answered on: 23 January 2020

Our people are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and have a corresponding range of experience of international trade negotiations, trade remedies and trade defence working on EU trade negotiations such as Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and multilateral agreements in the WTO.

To build the trade policy and negotiating experience in the Department for International Trade (DIT), over the 24 months to end-March 2020, around 350 places will have been taken by people in DIT on Expert Level training in technical areas of trade policy and around a further 350 places taken on Expert Level Free Trade Agreement negotiations training.

Q

Asked by Jessica Morden

(Newport East)

[N]

Asked on: 20 January 2020

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Ministry of Defence: Iron and Steel

5366

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of steel procured by her Department was produced in the UK, in each of the last five years.

A

Answered by: Nadhim Zahawi

Answered on: 23 January 2020

BEIS does not procure any steel directly, however, we are working hard to make sure that UK producers of steel have the best possible chance of competing for and winning contracts across all Government procurement. All Government departments and arms-length bodies are required to consider socio-economic and environmental factors when procuring steel. We also publish a Steel Pipeline, signalling upcoming steel requirements for national infrastructure projects.

BEIS collates data, including origin where known, for arms-length bodies undertaking infrastructure projects with significant steel content, including UKRI and the NDA as well as Offshore Wind builds and Hinkley Point C. This information is published annually on gov.uk at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/steel-public-procurement

The data was first published in January 2019, with the next iteration due to be published shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

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