20 Jan 23. MoD’s emissions and preparedness for climate change threats to be examined by Defence Cttee. On Tuesday 24 January, at 10.30, the Defence Committee will hold an evidence session hearing from climate experts, as part of its inquiry into defence and climate change. The Committee will hear from representatives from two charities: the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR). The session will explore the challenges that climate change pose to security and the Armed Forces, as well as examine how the MOD can improve its methods of measuring and reporting emissions and which strategies may help reduce emissions in the long-term.
Witnesses
10.30:
- Professor Stuart Parkinson Executive Director, Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).
- Linsey Cottrell, Environmental Policy Officer, Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS).
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Team Resolute: Contracts
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2023 to Question 118854 on Team Resolute: Contracts, whether his Department plans to correct the evidence given to the Defence Committee by Vice-Admiral Paul Marshall CBE on the notification date.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
Team Resolute was advised on 10 November 2022 of the Department’s intention to appoint it preferred bidder. As stated by Vice-Admiral Marshall, Team Resolute was allowed the period of the weekend of 12-13 November 2022 to agree to the terms and conditions attached to preferred bidder status and, having accepted the conditions, was formally notified of its appointment as preferred bidder on 15 November 2022.
National Security: Cybersecurity
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual expenditure by (a) his Department and (b) the National Cyber Security Centre is on the Joint Crypt Key Programme.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor (Alec Shelbrooke) on 22 September 2022 to Question 49570, which states that the Joint Crypt Key Programme (JCKP) has a whole life cost of £2.6billion over 19 years (financial year (FY)2016-17 to FY2035-36).
More detailed information on annual JCKP expenditure is being withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
National Security: Cybersecurity
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Joint Crypt Key Programme has been reset.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
There has been no reset of the Joint Crypt Key Programme.
Ukraine: Challenger Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of reestablishing the (a) supply and (b) logistics chain for the Challenger 2 tank in order for these tanks to be passed on to the Ukrainian military.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
The granting in kind of a Squadron of Challenger 2 to Ukraine provides an important increase in Ukraine’s capabilities and will help to accelerate Ukrainian success on the battlefield. This granting will not require the opening of any production lines and support will be provided from current Defence stockpiles.
Artillery: Procurement
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on its Mobile Fires Platform programme.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
The Mobile Fires Platform project is currently in the latter stages of the Concept Phase and has conducted significant operational analysis and market engagement to identify and assess viable investment options against the endorsed Army/Ministry of Defence requirement.
Ukraine: Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his international partners on the donation of Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 19 January 2023
We have engaged international partners on this subject through a coordinated military and diplomatic effort over recent weeks, and this work continues. The Defence Secretary is hosting a meeting of partners with his Estonian counterpart on 19 January to push forward international donations, including main battle tanks. The provision of tanks is also expected to be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base on 20 January.
Challenger Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 118815 on Challenger Tanks, when the Army will have 148 main battle tanks upgraded to Challenger 3.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 18 January 2023
The Challenger 3 prototypes will be delivered through 2023 and 2024 for use in demonstration trials. Once the design has been proven it is currently planned that the Challenger 3 tanks will be delivered to the Army from 2027, with Full Operating Capability delivered by 2030. The number of tanks to be delivered is under review.
Challenger Tanks
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January to Question 118815 on Challenger Tanks, how many main battle tanks he plans to upgrade to Challenger 3 each year until the completion of the upgrade programme.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 18 January 2023
The Challenger 3 prototypes will be delivered through 2023 and 2024 for use in demonstration trials. Once the design has been proven it is currently planned that the Challenger 3 tanks will be delivered to the Army from 2027, with Full Operating Capability delivered by 2030. The number of tanks to be delivered is under review.
Australia: Nuclear Submarines
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a decision will be taken on the design of the submarines built for Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement.
Answer
Mr Ben Wallace
Conservative
Wyre and Preston North
Commons
Answered on 17 January 2023
Australia has requested our help in acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine capability, and we are using the trilateral 18-month scoping period, initiated in September 2021, to establish exactly what the best way is to meet Australia’s capability requirement. As the three AUKUS Defence Ministers agreed at the inaugural AUKUS Defence Ministerial in December 2022, AUKUS states are making good progress identifying an optimal pathway. The scoping period is due to conclude in early 2023.
National Shipbuilding Office: Finance
Question for Ministry of Defence
John Healey
Labour
Wentworth and Dearne
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget is for the National Shipbuilding Office.
Answer
Alex Chalk
Conservative
Cheltenham
Commons
Answered on 17 January 2023
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) is an independent office of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It currently employs 25 people and one industry secondee. The annual budget of the NSO for financial year 2021-22 is £2,534,175 which is drawn from the MOD, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Cabinet Office, Department for Transport, Department for Education and Department for International Trade. The NSO was established to provide strategic oversight of all of the Government’s interests in shipbuilding and drive transformative change within the sector. To achieve this, the NSO engages with colleagues across Government and industry on all procurement programmes listed in the 30 Year Cross-Government Shipbuilding Pipeline in the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSbS) Refresh to ensure the principles of the strategy are being considered throughout the process. The NSO also plays a key role in driving the policies and interventions outlined in the strategy, for example the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions and the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce, in order to promote growth across the entire UK shipbuilding sector. More information on the roles and responsibilities of the NSO can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/national-shipbuilding-office.