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1138280

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	World War II: Anniversaries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what events they are planning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in September.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL17077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The Headquarters and The Association of The Parachute Regiment are closely engaged with our in-country staff in co-ordinating a series of events taking place in and around Arnhem over the period 20-22 September 2019. Both the Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff will be in attendance at the main Dutch event in Arnhem at the invitation of their respective opposite numbers within the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the commemorations, both the Mercian Regiment and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will be providing substantial representation; given their antecedent Regiments’ involvement in the form of the South Staffordshire Regiment and the Border Regiment, respectively, as glider-borne troops who made up the 1st Air Landing Brigade.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 17/07/2019 15:33:33 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1137465

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Job Satisfaction
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of levels of satisfaction amongst civilian seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and what the results were of any such assessments undertaken since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274488
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>An independent Royal Fleet Auxiliary attitude survey was conducted in 2017 and all members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary were encouraged to participate. Of the 45% of staff who completed this survey, 42% were satisfied with Royal Fleet Auxiliary life in general.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:22:11 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137467

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the effect of RPI inflation has been on the value of the pay of civilian seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 2008-09.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>This information is not held by the Department. As Ministry of Defence Civil Servants, the pay of members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is governed by HM Treasury Public Sector Pay Guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:22:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137468

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average age is of civilian (a) ratings and (b) officers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>As at 1 April 2019 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employed 1,880 personnel. There were 137 women and 1,743 men, equating to 7.3% of RFA employees being women. The average age of ratings was 43 years and the average age of officers was 39 years.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274491 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:19:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137469

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) women and (b) men are employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>As at 1 April 2019 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employed 1,880 personnel. There were 137 women and 1,743 men, equating to 7.3% of RFA employees being women. The average age of ratings was 43 years and the average age of officers was 39 years.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274490 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:19:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137470

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Equal Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate she has made of the gender pay gap in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>All Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are Civil Servants and are, therefore, included in the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Civil Servant gender pay gap reporting.</p><p>Overall, as at 31 March 2018, the MOD's median civilian gender pay gap of 10.9% (down 3.7 percentage points from the previous year) and 0.09% for military personnel (down 0.13 percentage points), compares favourably with the UK's national gender median pay gap of 17.9%.</p><p>The gender pay gap continues to narrow and the MOD is committed to reducing it further as we continue to promote policies that help all individuals reach their potential.</p><p>Further information on the MOD's Gender Pay Gap Reporting 2018 can be found at the following link:</p><p>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/766751/20181207_MOD_Gender_Pay_Gap_Report_Narrative_2018-FINALPDF.pdf</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:21:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137471

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Ethnic Groups
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of civilian staff in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are BAME.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274493
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274494 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:20:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137472

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: LGBT+ People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian staff in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary identify as LGBT+.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274494
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274493 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:20:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137481

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans UK: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the funding available to Veterans UK.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274507
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Funding for Veterans UK is allocated through Defence Business Services (part of the Ministry of Defence) according to annual bids based on business forecast demand. Funding for additional in-year demand or business requirements may be made as required during the financial year.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:18:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1137482

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the armed forces independence payment in providing financial support to veterans.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps all aspects of the support provided to injured Service personnel under continual review to ensure that the provision remains fit for purpose; this includes the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) which the MOD introduced in 2013, in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, to simplify the financial support available for members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured as a result of Service since 6 April 2005. The AFIP provides eligible recipients with on-going payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries. Service personnel and veterans who are entitled to a Guaranteed Income Payment of 50% or higher through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are eligible for AFIP, which is tax-free and paid for life with no review. In addition to continual internal review, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (including AFIP) is subject to a formal quinquennial review, last conducted in 2017: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-armed-forces-compensation-scheme-quinquennial-review</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:17:31 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1137483

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	War Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the war pensions scheme for injured veterans.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274509
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The War Pension Scheme (WPS) is kept under continual review to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose. War Pensions payments and associated allowances are uprated annually to protect against rising prices. In April 2019, rates for Financial Year 2019-20 increased by 2.4% in line with the September 2018 Consumer Price Index.</p><p>It remains the case that any veteran who believes they have suffered ill-health or injury due to service in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005 is eligible to claim no-fault compensation under the WPS, which has no time limits and with the benefit of reasonable doubt always given to the claimant.</p><p>Decisions are medically certified and follow consideration of service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent tribunal. Where the evidence supports a causal link to service, entitlement will be given.</p><p>The WPS also includes dependant benefits, which can be substantial over a period of time.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:18:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1137510

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Brimstone missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274596
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274597 274598 274599 274601 274602 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137512

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a PGM 2000 missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274597
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274596 274598 274599 274601 274602 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137513

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Antiship Missiles: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Harpoon missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274596 274597 274599 274601 274602 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137514

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Storm Shadow missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274599
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274596 274597 274598 274601 274602 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137515

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Trident D-5 missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274600
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK's Trident II D5 missiles form part of a pool of available missiles shared with the US. The UK pays an annual contribution to the continued maintenance of the missile stock based on our share of the overall missile inventory.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 16/07/2019 15:23:34 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137516

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Spearfish torpedo.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274601
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274596 274597 274598 274599 274602 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137517

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Guided Weapons: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long it would take, and at what cost, for her Department to procure a Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile.
	tabling member constituency	Berwick-upon-Tweed
	tabling member printed	Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	uin	274602
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The lead times for replenishing missiles is typically between 18 and 36 months depending on the munition type. Procurement costs are regularly reviewed and are dependent on the quantity of missiles being procured, customer priorities and market conditions at the time. I am withholding specific details of lead times which would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and forecast cost estimates which are commercially sensitive.</p><p>The PGM 2000 missile system is not a UK defence capability.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew grouped question UIN 274596 274597 274598 274599 274601 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:24:29 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan

1137823

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time personnel are currently in the three branches of the UK's armed forces.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	275138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence publishes quarterly Service Personnel statistics which include the requested information. The latest edition, with figures as at 1 April 2019, can be found at the following link:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2019</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 16/07/2019 15:16:47 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137827

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	HMS Prince of Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the HMS Prince of Wales will be placed into the service of the Royal Navy.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	275141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Yes. HMS PRINCE OF WALES is structurally complete and on current plans will commence contractor sea trials in late 2019. Her first entry to Portsmouth will take place during those sea trials and her commissioning into the Royal Navy will follow their completion. Both of these dates have yet to be determined.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 16/07/2019 15:16:13 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137887

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Military Exercises
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for the conclusion of Operation Sea Breeze.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275152
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Exercise SEA BREEZE concluded on 12 July 2019.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 16/07/2019 15:15:27 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1137888

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Marines: Guided Weapons
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Royal Marines will be ready to use the Lightweight Multirole Missile against drones.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275153
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>On current plans the Royal Marines will declare initial NATO compliant operating capability for the Lightweight Multirole Missile in early 2021.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 16/07/2019 15:13:32 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1137889

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Estonia: Military Exercises
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force demonstrations her Department plans to conduct in Estonia in the next two years.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275154
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force provides, through collaboration with the partnering nations, an increased profile and presence in the Baltic Sea and High North region across multiple domains. Both operationally and through collective training, the UK's engagement in the coming years will be characterised by smaller scale, but more frequent activities in co-operation with all regional partners, of which Estonia is an important member. The opportunities and frequency of participation by Estonia is being reviewed through regular consultations at both the political and military level.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 16/07/2019 15:06:47 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1137890

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Army Reserve: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps she is taking to increase the integration of Army Reserve units in training exercises.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275155
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Army continues to integrate the Army Reserve into the Army and Defence training exercise programme in both participating and supporting roles. The Army Reserve is involved in all of the Army's collective training exercises. All reserve overseas training exercises have an element of Regular Army participation.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 16/07/2019 15:05:47 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1137891

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Army Reserve: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding her Department plans to provide for Reserve Army training in each of the next five financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Army has budgeted over £100 million for Army Reserve training for the current financial year. This covers Army Reserve Units only and does not include training for Reservists in staff roles in Brigade or Army HQ which would be picked up by the parent unit. The Reserve training budget provides for activity such as classroom-based lessons, physical training, trade training and field exercises. Future budget allocations will be made through our normal financial planning process.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 16/07/2019 15:04:52 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1137765

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	EU Defence Policy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the merits of UK participation in EU defence structures after the UK has left the EU.
	tabling member constituency	East Devon
	tabling member printed	Sir Hugo Swire
	uin	275127
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>As we leave the EU, we remain committed to playing a leading role on Euro-Atlantic security. NATO remains the cornerstone of our defence. Nonetheless, the UK and the EU will continue to face common threats, which are evolving and growing in complexity, and we share the same values. That is why we have agreed the outline terms, through the Political Declaration, of a flexible and scalable future UK-EU security partnership to cooperate as a sovereign third country with EU partners on a case-by-case basis where there is a clear shared interest.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 15/07/2019 13:44:13 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1137822

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Army
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what criteria or process her Department chose 82,000 as the optimum number of personnel for the army.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	275137
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The proposal for a regular Army of 82,000 emerged from work that followed the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 15/07/2019 13:43:46 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137824

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Type 45 Destroyers: Deployment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the UK's six Type 45 destroyers have been put to sea in the last twelve months.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	275139
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes and Departmental planning requirements.</p><p> </p><p>From records available, the number of days each Type 45 destroyer has spent at sea between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019 is shown below.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Type 45</p></td><td><p>Total number of days at sea</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DEFENDER</p></td><td><p>118</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DIAMOND</p></td><td><p>91</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DRAGON</p></td><td><p>154</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DUNCAN</p></td><td><p>116</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DARING</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>HMS DAUNTLESS</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>TOTAL</p></td><td><p>479</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 15/07/2019 13:43:17 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137825

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	F-35 Aircraft
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35 aircraft are currently available for operations.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	275140
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>617 Squadron is the UK's first operational frontline F-35 Lightning squadron with an initial complement of nine aircraft capable of undertaking operations from the land.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 15/07/2019 13:42:34 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1138125

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	EU Defence Policy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on parliamentary accountability of the EU defence structures that the UK has joined since the EU referendum in 2016.
	tabling member constituency	East Devon
	tabling member printed	Sir Hugo Swire
	uin	275696
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to ensure that parliamentary accountability for UK-EU defence cooperation is maintained. In addition to the public speeches made by the Prime Minister and the white paper of last July, the Government provided further clarification in September, in its response to the House of Commons Defence Committee report, on its proposals for a future security partnership with the EU. The Government has also participated in parliamentary debates or hearings on Permanent Structured Cooperation last April, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Operation Sophia last June, the European Defence Industrial Development Programme last November and on CSDP missions and operations in May this year. The Government will continue to provide regular updates to both European Scrutiny Committees in Parliament.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 15/07/2019 13:42:00 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1136535

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Military Aircraft
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the number of aircraft in the RAF fleet.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	uin	272887
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Assessments of trends in the number of aircraft in the RAF fleet is undertaken in the annual National Statistics publication: UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations.</p><p>The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 invested in the Royal Air Force to deliver Joint Force 2025. The RAF will grow in size and capability with a larger and more capable frontline, delivering the technology required for the Next Generation Air Force.</p><p>F-35 Lightning is now operational, and the Typhoon force has already grown by one squadron, with a further to stand up this year. A broad range of new training aircraft, more aligned to the operational fleet, have also been delivered for the Military Flying Training System. The first P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will shortly undertake its first flight. We have also committed to purchase Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and Protector Remotely Piloted Air Systems. The addition of A400M Atlas, concurrent to the drawdown of the C130J Hercules, has also provided increasing lift capacity, working alongside our C17 strategic transport fleet.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 11/07/2019 14:57:15 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1136576

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps she is taking to reduce the affordability gap between the equipment plan and her Department's budget.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	272780
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>We recognise that the Equipment Plan is currently unaffordable and have set out a range of measures in response to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report to put the programme on a sustainable financial footing. We have committed to providing further progress updates to the Committee by the end of this month on the development of financial functional skills and our engagement with industry.</p><p>Our response to the PAC report was published in the Treasury Minutes on 1 April 2019 and can be found at the following link:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/treasury-minutes-april-2019</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 11/07/2019 14:58:39 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137446

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Hawk Aircraft
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2019 to Question 269014, how many sorties have Hawk T2 aircraft have undertaken in the advanced jet training role from 3 April to 26 June 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Between 3 April and 26 June 2019, RAF Hawk T2 aircraft undertook 1,177 Advanced Jet Training sorties.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 11/07/2019 15:00:17 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137459

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans UK
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans has met with trade union representatives to discuss the future of Veterans UK in the last six months.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274483
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>None.</p><p>However, Ministry of Defence officials have met trade union representatives on numerous occasions to discuss the Future Service Delivery Contract and its impact and benefits to the Veterans UK organisation. This close engagement will continue.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/07/2019 15:00:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137461

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date she plans to agree the 2019-20 pay settlement for Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff with the relevant trade unions.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274484
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Defence Ministers regularly meet with officials from Navy Command to discuss a range of issues, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) pay.</p><p>The Public Sector Pay Award Guidelines were published by Her Majesty's Treasury on 13 June 2019 and Departmental officials continue to work on a pay proposal for the RFA for 2019-20 based on this guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274487 question first answered 11/07/2019 15:02:28 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137462

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date she plans to agree the 2019-20 pay settlement with the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The Armed Forces' Pay Review Body submitted their report in May 2019 alongside all other public sector pay review bodies. The Government is currently considering the recommendations before agreeing the final 2019 Armed Forces Pay Award, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate suitably able and qualified personnel, as well as the long term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, as with previous years, the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body report will be published and any pay rises backdated to 1 April 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/07/2019 15:04:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137463

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average age was of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary apprentice in each year between 2008-09 and 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The Royal Fleet Auxiliary commenced apprenticeships in April 2015 across five skill areas: Seamanship Rating; Marine Engineer Rating; Chef; Steward; and Communications and Information Systems Rating. The average age of personnel recruited into these schemes each year is provided in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Average Age (Years)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>31</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>29</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/07/2019 15:05:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137464

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions she has had with officials from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) on the 2019-20 pay award for civilian RFA staff.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274487
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Defence Ministers regularly meet with officials from Navy Command to discuss a range of issues, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) pay.</p><p>The Public Sector Pay Award Guidelines were published by Her Majesty's Treasury on 13 June 2019 and Departmental officials continue to work on a pay proposal for the RFA for 2019-20 based on this guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274484 question first answered 11/07/2019 15:02:28 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137599

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Office on a resolution to the matter of the prosecution of army veterans who served in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	South Northamptonshire
	tabling member printed	Andrea Leadsom
	uin	274533
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>I discuss these important issues with the Northern Ireland Secretary and other relevant Ministers on a regular basis. As I set out in my written ministerial statement of 21 May 2019 (HCWS1575), our obligations to veterans who have served in Northern Ireland remain the same as to those who served in other theatres, and I have agreed with the Northern Ireland Secretary that my Department will provide formal input to any process taken forward by the Northern Ireland Office resulting from the Stormont House Agreement.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 11/07/2019 15:07:19 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom

1137603

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if she will place a copy of the most recent UK National Implementation Plan under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy in the Library; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Devon
	tabling member printed	Sir Hugo Swire
	uin	274456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>National Implementation Plans under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) may refer to either Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) or civilian CSDP. As the UK is not a PESCO participating Member State and is not subject to the PESCO binding commitments, we have not developed a National Implementation Plan for PESCO. We are considering whether a National Implementation Plan for civilian CSDP is required before the UK leaves the EU.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 11/07/2019 15:08:06 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1137604

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions she has had with the UK Permanent Representative EU on the EU Council meeting on security and defence on 17 June 2019.
	tabling member constituency	East Devon
	tabling member printed	Sir Hugo Swire
	uin	274457
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Ministry of Defence officials regularly engage with the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union on a number of issues. I was not present at the EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting on 17 June 2019 but met with the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministerial in Brussels on 29 June 2019 to discuss a number of issues related to European security and defence.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 11/07/2019 15:08:58 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1136533

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding allocated to her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	uin	272885
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK has committed to spending 2% of GDP on defence. We are the largest defence spender in Europe and the second largest in NATO.</p><p>The Ministry of Defence has a £39 billion core defence budget which will rise by at least 0.5% above inflation in every year of this Parliament. Any future funding decisions will be taken at the upcoming spending review.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 10/07/2019 13:47:59 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1136780

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Equality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy that Her Majesty's Armed Forces should be comprised of equal numbers of men and women.
	tabling member printed	Lord Tebbit
	uin	HL16930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence is dedicated to achieving a more diverse and representative workforce. Consequently, we have undertaken a wide range of activities to increase representation across British society, including those that have historically been under-represented. As part of this drive, we are working towards a target of 15% of recruits into the Armed Forces being female by 2020. The target is stretching and reflects the importance Defence places on having diverse Armed Forces with all the benefits this brings.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 10/07/2019 13:57:18 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	952 label Biography information for Lord Tebbit

1137123

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Career Development
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of social class on promotion in the armed forces.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	273734
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence has made no recent assessment of the effect of social class on promotion in the Armed Forces.</p><p>Armed Forces careers are built on merit, creating an environment where success is determined by potential, effort and talent and not by background. The skills, education and training an Armed Forces career provides allows people the opportunity to progress and prosper not just while they serve, but also once they transition back into civilian life.</p><p>With over 50,000 apprenticeships during this Parliament, the Ministry of Defence are the UK's largest apprenticeship provider. In addition, we commission our most talented soldiers, sailors and aircraftmen and women, provide university bursary programmes and we recently announced the STEM Graduate Inflow Scheme which will improve access to our technical graduate programme.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/07/2019 13:55:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1137202

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Navy: Military Bases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many visits there have been to UK naval bases by foreign vessels carrying nuclear weapons in each of the last ten years; which bases those vessels visited; and what nations those vessels originated from.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
	tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
	uin	273805
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>It is UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons onboard specific ships or submarines at any particular place or time, for the purposes of safeguarding national security and international relations.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 10/07/2019 13:46:58 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

1137211

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Air Force: Heart Diseases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant the Answer of 4 July 2019 to Question 271441 on Armed Forces: Heart Diseases, for what reason RAF recruits do not receive an electrocardiogram test; and whether such a test is a requirement for a recruit to gain a pilot's licence.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	273752
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>RAF screening is designed to detect significant cardiovascular abnormalities prior to service. While RAF recruits do not routinely receive an electrocardiogram (ECG), where screening indicates they may have a problem an ECG, exercise ECG, 24-hour ECG or echocardiogram might be performed.</p><p>For aircrew candidates, an ECG is required before entering pilot training.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/07/2019 13:45:10 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1137212

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Heart Diseases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2019 to Question 271441 on Armed Forces: Heart Diseases, whether she has plans to change the criteria clinicians follow when seeking to detect significant structural and electrophysiological abnormalities in recruits.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	273753
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The medical standards for the Armed Forces are kept under periodic review to ensure they take account of UK best practice in occupational medical policy, medical evidence, improved diagnostic procedures and treatments.</p><p>There are currently no plans to change the criteria for detecting these abnormalities.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/07/2019 13:54:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1135839

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Germany
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in establishing a joint bridging unit in Germany.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	271371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>In October 2018, a Joint Vision Statement was signed, reaffirming the continuing importance of close defence co-operation with Germany. This committed the UK to a combined river crossing capability with shared facilities in Minden. Elements of an Engineer Squadron are already operating at Minden, alongside our German partners. We continue to grow the UK elements of this capability and anticipate that the wider battalion will be fully operational within the first half of the next decade.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 09/07/2019 15:16:23 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1136047

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Type 31 Frigates: Guided Weapons
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether her Department has plans for the Sea Ceptor missile system to be fitted to the five planned Type 31e frigates.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	271442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Final decisions on the weapons specification and fit of the Type 31e frigates will be made at the main investment decision point, taking into account the role of the ship, operating environment and future threats.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 09/07/2019 15:15:35 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1136255

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether she has plans to increase defence spending in the next three years.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	272137
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Future spending plans will be agreed at the next Spending Review.</p><p>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.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 09/07/2019 15:14:44 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell