Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered question first ministerially corrected answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1677470

	registered interest
	date	12/12/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ukraine: Military Aid
	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 15 November 2023 to Question 60 on Ukraine: Military Aid, whether any further contracts for the International Fund for Ukraine have been awarded.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	6404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2023 answer text <p>A further <del class="ministerial">five</del> <ins class="ministerial">seven</ins> International Fund for Ukraine contracts have been placed since 15 November 2023. The International Fund for Ukraine has now awarded <del class="ministerial">21</del> <ins class="ministerial">23</ins> contracts, with a total value of c. <del class="ministerial">£258</del> <ins class="ministerial">£298</ins> million.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 18/12/2023 16:19:43 question first ministerially corrected 23/01/2024 10:17:12 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey previous answer version 7977 answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1673645

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Israel: Military Aid
	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 28 November 2023 to Question 2667 on Israel: Military Aid, whether any (a) lethal and (b) other military equipment other than medical supplies has been provided to Israel since 7 October 2023.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	4277
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2023 answer text <p>Since 7 October 2023, the UK <ins class="ministerial">Government</ins> has provided no lethal or military equipment other than medical supplies to Israel.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 04/12/2023 14:47:11 question first ministerially corrected 12/12/2023 17:12:17 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey previous answer version 4903 answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1668982

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Military Attachés
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which countries do not have a resident UK Defence Attache.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	1027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2023 answer text <p>The table below has a list of countries covered on a Non-Residential Accreditations (NRA) basis, where a UK Defence Attaché (DA) is not resident in country, but a DA elsewhere has the responsibility. This ensures that we have coverage across the world’s regions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Country (NRA)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Location of DA</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Angola</p></td><td><p>Pretoria – South Africa</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Anguilla</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Antigua &amp; Barbua</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Armenia</p></td><td><p>Georgia – Tbilisi</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Azerbaijan</p></td><td><p>Georgia – Tbilisi</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bahamas</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Barbados</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Belarus</p></td><td><p>Ukraine – Kyiv</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Belize</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Benin</p></td><td><p>Accra - Ghana</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bermuda</p></td><td><p>USA – Washington DC</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bolivia</p></td><td><p>UK – London</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Botswana</p></td><td><p>Harare - Zimbabwe</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>British Virgin Islands</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burkina Faso</p></td><td><p>Ghana - Accra</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burundi</p></td><td><p>Uganda – Kampala</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cambodia</p></td><td><p>Singapore</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cape Verde Islands</p></td><td><p>UK-London</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cayman Islands</p></td><td><p>Jamaica – Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Congo</p></td><td><p>UK - London</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cuba</p></td><td><p>Mexico – Mexico City</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Djibouti</p></td><td><p>Ethiopia – Addis Ababa</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dominica Dominican Republic</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Democratic Republic of the Congo</p></td><td><p>Kampala - Uganda</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Eritrea</p></td><td><p>Sana’a - Yemen</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ecuador</p></td><td><p>Bogota - Colombia</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Gabon</p></td><td><p>London</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grenada</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Guinea</p></td><td><p>Sierra Leone – Freetown</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Guyana</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Guatemala</p></td><td><p>Mexico – Mexico City</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Guinea-Bissau</p></td><td><p>Senegal - Dakar</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Haiti</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hungary</p></td><td><p>Croatia - Zagreb</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Iceland</p></td><td><p>Norway - Oslo</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ivory Coast</p></td><td><p>Ghana – Accra</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Khartoum</p></td><td><p>Egypt - Cairo</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kosovo</p></td><td><p>Macedonia - Skopje</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kyrgyzstan</p></td><td><p>Kazakhstan – Astana</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lesotho</p></td><td><p>South Africa - Pretoria</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Liberia</p></td><td><p>Sierra Leone - Freetown</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Libya</p></td><td><p>Libya - Tripoli</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malawi</p></td><td><p>Zimbabwe – Harare</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malta</p></td><td><p>Rome</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mauritania</p></td><td><p>Morocco – Rabat</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Monaco</p></td><td><p>France – Paris</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mongolia</p></td><td><p>Japan – Tokyo</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Montenegro</p></td><td><p>Tirana – Albania</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Myanmar</p></td><td><p>Singapore (BDS SEA)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Montserrat</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mozambique</p></td><td><p>South Africa – Pretoria</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Panama City</p></td><td><p>Puerto Rico</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Namibia</p></td><td><p>South Africa – Pretoria</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Niger</p></td><td><p>Mali - Bamako</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Papua New Guinea</p></td><td><p>Australia – Canberra</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Paraguay</p></td><td><p>Argentina – Buenos Aires</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Peru</p></td><td><p>Colombia - Bogota</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rwanda</p></td><td><p>Uganda – Kampala</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Seychelles</p></td><td><p>Kenya - Nairobi</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>St Kitts &amp; Nevis</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>St Lucia</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>St Vincent</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovakia</p></td><td><p>Czech Rep - Prague</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovenia</p></td><td><p>Austria – Vienna</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial">Somaliland</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">Mogadishu, Somalia</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South Sudan</p></td><td><p>Addis Ababa – Ethiopia</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Switzerland</p></td><td><p>Vienna - Austria</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Syria</p></td><td><p>Lebanon</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tajikistan</p></td><td><p>Kazakhstan – Astana</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tanzania</p></td><td><p>Kenya – Nairobi</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Gambia</p></td><td><p>Senegal - Dakar</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Timor-Leste (East Timor)</p></td><td><p>Indonesia - Jakarta</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Togo</p></td><td><p>Ghana – Accra</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tonga</p></td><td><p>Fiji – Suva</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Trinidad &amp; Tobago</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkmenistan</p></td><td><p>Uzbekistan - Tashkent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turks &amp; Caicos Islands</p></td><td><p>Jamaica - Kingston</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Uruguay</p></td><td><p>Argentina - Buenos Aires</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Vanuatu</p></td><td><p>Fiji – Suva</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Venezuela</p></td><td><p>Bogota - Colombia</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Zambia</p></td><td><p>Zimbabwe - Harare</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 17/11/2023 11:19:53 question first ministerially corrected 23/11/2023 10:20:22 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey previous answer version 1502 answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1668973

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Clyde Naval Base
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of the shiplift facility at HM Naval Base Clyde.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	1023
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Statistical information on Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System is published by the Department on gov.uk. However, further detail is not held centrally and the answers to these questions could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">The Royal Military Police are the Service Police for the Army. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own Service Police. The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">While some information is held by the single Services on crimes reported to and investigated by the Civilian Police, the information recorded is based on that provided by or obtained from the Civilian Police or the subject, therefore the Department is unable to provide official data in this respect.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">“Sexual harassment” is not an offence under civil or Armed Forces law, however Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour. Under the MOD’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relations) policy, for all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">I am unable to confirm the status of the shiplift at His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability and effectiveness of our Armed Forces.</ins></p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 14/11/2023 17:52:22 question first ministerially corrected 20/11/2023 12:21:31 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge previous answer version 604 answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1668368

	registered interest
	date	08/11/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ajax Vehicles: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Table 1 of his Department's MOD trade industry and contracts data tables 2023, published on 28 September 2023, for what reasons there was a £24 million in-year change to the cost to completion of the AJAX programme.
	tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
	tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
	uin	701
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2023 answer text <p>The AJAX PPST22 In-Year variance of +£24 million was due to Defence Infrastructure cost increases at the Bovington, <ins class="ministerial">Bulford</ins> <del class="ministerial">Lulworth and</del> Kirkcudbright <ins class="ministerial">and Warminster</ins> facilities.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 14/11/2023 14:36:00 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2024 11:40:53 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge previous answer version 498 answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
	tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

1663528

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	USA: Quantum Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help increase transatlantic quantum technology cooperation.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton North East
	tabling member printed	Mark Logan
	uin	201382
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">Defence has a variety of longstanding international relationships that support technology cooperation and quantum technologies are no exception. We recognise that our partners in both the US and Canada have strengths in a broad range of areas. We collaborate closely on science and technology development with both the US and Canada both bilaterally and in a range of multilateral fora and have well established governance forums through which we jointly consider future work that holds mutual benefit.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">We support the development of HMG wide international cooperation on quantum technologies, including in support of the National Quantum Strategy led by the Secretary of State for DSIT. This has included supporting the signature of a UK/US letter of intent on quantum cooperation.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Ministry of Defence has a range of specific bilateral and multilateral collaborations ongoing that cover quantum technologies, including through NATO (both the US and Canada) and AUKUS Pillar Two (advanced capabilities) with the US. We also support the development of HMG wide international cooperation on quantum technologies, such as the National Quantum Strategy led by the Secretary of State for DSIT, which has included supporting the signature of a UK/US letter of intent on quantum cooperation. </ins></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 18/10/2023 16:20:40 question first ministerially corrected 19/10/2023 14:22:32 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge previous answer version 98292 answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
	tabling member	4815 label Biography information for Mark Logan

1659063

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Compensation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 122 of his Department’s annual report and accounts for 2022-23, how many of the special payments reported for financial year 2022-23 were made to (a) service personnel and (b) other individuals affected by defence activities.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	198317
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The majority of the 4,609 special payments disclosed relate to common law compensation claims (3,865). An analysis of this data is provided below;</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">· 2,307 payments to Service personnel</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">· 1,558 payments to Others</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">It should be noted that this analysis reflects the volume of payments made and that individuals may receive more than one compensation payment depending on the settlement reached.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">The remaining volume will include payments made in settlement of contractual disputes where it has been judged that this represents the best value for money course of action for the Department. Two of these payments are separately disclosed in the ARAc table as they exceed the &gt;£300,000 threshold for more detailed reporting (specifically MSI Instruments (£959,000) and Land Remediation Payment (£321,000)).</del><ins class="ministerial">The majority of the 4,609 special payments totalling £114.53 million disclosed relate to common law compensation claims (£111.20 million). An analysis of this data is provided below;</ins></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">· 2,307 payments equating to £78 million to service personnel</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">· 1,558 payments equating to £33 million to others</ins></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">It should be noted that this analysis reflects the volume of payments made and that individuals may receive more than one compensation payment depending on the settlement reached.</ins></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The remaining value will include payments made in settlement of contractual disputes where it has been judged that this represents the best value for money course of action for the Department. Two of these payments are separately disclosed in the table as they exceed the &gt;£300,000 threshold for more detailed reporting (specifically MSI Instruments (£959,000) and Land Remediation Payment (£321,000).</ins></p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 15/09/2023 10:42:02 question first ministerially corrected 15/09/2023 13:45:07 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison previous answer version 94749 answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1658191

	registered interest
	date	05/09/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Challenger Tanks
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the Challenger 3 upgrade programme; what the definition is of initial operating capability for Challenger 3; and what the planned date is for that initial operating capability.
	tabling member constituency	Rayleigh and Wickford
	tabling member printed	Mr Mark Francois
	uin	197700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">To ensure I can provide as much detail as possible, I will write to the right hon. Member with the detail requested once it has been collated and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House. </del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We do not routinely release forecast figures regarding the resource and capital expenditure of our major projects. Portfolio data is published annually in support of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Annual Report which includes a budget baseline and the latest HM Treasury approved estimates in respect of whole life costs. The current report is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infrastructure-and-projects-authority-annual-report-2022-23" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications//infrastructure-and-projects-authority-annual-report-2022-23</a></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> Initial Operating Capability is defined as a single squadron of Main Battle Tanks with trained crews and is planned to be achieved in 2027.</ins></p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 11/09/2023 16:46:20 question first ministerially corrected 12/09/2023 13:04:29 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge previous answer version 93597 answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge
	tabling member	1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois

1656392

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Weddings
	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 3 July 2023 to Ministry of Defence: Weddings, on what date did a civil (a) marriage and (b) partnership last take place on the Defence Estate in (a) England and (b) Cyprus.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	195687
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>Civil marriages and partnerships occur on Defence estates outside the UK and will comply with host countries’ laws or the Sovereign Base Regulations. <ins class="ministerial">The last civil marriage that took place on Defence estates in Cyprus was 11 March 2023 and the last civil partnership that took place on Defence estates in Cyprus was 27 June 2022.</ins><del class="ministerial">The last time such a ceremony took place in Cyprus was 4 September 2021.</del></p><p> </p><p>Civil marriages or partnerships cannot take place on the Defence Estate in England and Wales due to The Marriages and Civil Partnership (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005, which requires Approved Premises to be regularly available to the public. That is not tenable in respect of the defence estate because of security concerns.</p><p> </p><p>On 24 July 2023, in my capacity as Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, I wrote to the Ministry of Justice to enquire about amending the legislation to remove the requirement for unrestricted public access. Such an amendment would ensure that the Defence community could enter into civil marriages and partnerships in locations that have particular significance to them.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 11/09/2023 15:02:56 question first ministerially corrected 18/10/2023 12:36:10 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison previous answer version 93179 answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1656393

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Weddings
	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 3 July 2023 to Question 191222 on on Ministry of Defence: Weddings, what security considerations his Department has identified for not permitting civil marriages or civil partnerships to take place on the Defence Estate in England and Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
	tabling member printed	John Healey
	uin	195688
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>Civil marriages and partnerships occur on Defence estates outside the UK and will comply with host countries’ laws or the Sovereign Base Regulations. <ins class="ministerial">The last civil marriage that took place on Defence estates in Cyprus was 11 March 2023 and the last civil partnership that took place on Defence estates in Cyprus was 27 June 2022.</ins> <del class="ministerial">The last time such a ceremony took place in Cyprus was 4 September 2021.</del></p><p> </p><p>Civil marriages or partnerships cannot take place on the Defence Estate in England and Wales due to The Marriages and Civil Partnership (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005, which requires Approved Premises to be regularly available to the public. That is not tenable in respect of the defence estate because of security concerns.</p><p> </p><p>On 24 July 2023, in my capacity as Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, I wrote to the Ministry of Justice to enquire about amending the legislation to remove the requirement for unrestricted public access. Such an amendment would ensure that the Defence community could enter into civil marriages and partnerships in locations that have particular significance to them.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 11/09/2023 15:02:56 question first ministerially corrected 18/10/2023 15:32:16 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison previous answer version 93187 answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey