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 grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label attachment file name title previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1196582

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Chief Scientific Advisers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.
tabling member constituency	Tunbridge Wells
tabling member printed	Greg Clark
uin	48358
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>Between 1 September 2019 and 29 February 2020, one bilateral meeting was held between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Adviser. Additionally the Secretary of State for Defence and the MOD Chief Scientific Adviser meet regularly in group briefings.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 21/05/2020 14:47:00 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
tabling member	1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark

1196033

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the retirement of the RAF Nimrod fleet, for what reason the UK has not replaced its maritime surveillance capability; and what assessment he has made of (a) the disadvantages of the lack of UK maritime patrol aircraft, (b) when such capability could be restored, and (c) the requirement to restore the capability.
tabling member constituency	New Forest East
tabling member printed	Dr Julian Lewis
uin	47165
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>In the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Government confirmed that it would close the Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability gap with the procurement of nine Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The UK's first aircraft was delivered to the Royal Air Force in October 2019 and we declared an initial operating capability on 1 April 2020.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 20/05/2020 07:44:21 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1196204

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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, what assessment he has made of the suitability of the F-35 Lightening II for long periods of supersonic flight.
tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
uin	47244
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>When required, the Lightning can cruise at supersonic speed for long periods. However operationally, like most modern combat fast jets, supersonic speeds would only be used in limited tactical situations and would only be required for short bursts; the vast majority of its tactical employment is predicated around subsonic operating speeds. As a result, it is highly unlikely that Lightning would need to be routinely flown at supersonic speed for sustained periods.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 20/05/2020 07:30:53 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

1196264

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Sentinel Aircraft
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which (a) conventional and (b) counterinsurgency campaigns Sentinel aircraft have seen action since their entry into service; what the original design life of each Sentinel aircraft is, and by how much this can practicably be increased by a life extension project; whether the UK possesses alternative systems that can provide (i) strategic and (ii) tactical surveillance coverage over land equivalent to that currently provided by Sentinel; and how future land campaigns will adequately be conducted if a capability gap is created by the retirement of the Sentinel fleet.
tabling member constituency	New Forest East
tabling member printed	Dr Julian Lewis
uin	47167
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The Sentinel R1 has been operationally deployed in support of a number of operations. Some operations are considered to be both conventional and counter-insurgency; for example operations in Afghanistan (Op HERRICK) and Iraq (Op SHADER). It has also been deployed on operations in Libya (Op ELLAMY), Nigeria (Op TURUS) and Mali (Op NEWCOMBE), all considered conventional operations.</p><p> </p><p>Sentinel was introduced in 2008 in the knowledge that a significant equipment upgrade would be required in the mid 2010’s.</p><p> </p><p>The Defence Review in 2010 cancelled this expected upgrade bringing forward the likely out of service date.</p><p> </p><p>The SDSR 2015 determined that Sentinel should be retained for a further period and set a new out of service date of March 2021. While some work was conducted on the on-board equipment this fell well short of a full system upgrade.</p><p> </p><p>The radar and mission system are now increasingly obsolescent and will face increasing reliability issues as time progresses.</p><p> </p><p>Retaining the capability would have required significant upgrade expenditure and the March 2021 out of service date has been retained.</p><p> </p><p>No identical capability is operated by the UK (though similar capabilities exist in the NATO inventory).</p><p> </p><p>The UK does however have a number of other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that collect different types of intelligence information, including long-range strategic assets (Sentry, Rivet Joint and Poseidon) and shorter-range more tactically-focused assets (including Shadow, Reaper and Watchkeeper).</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 21/05/2020 17:08:47 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin previous answer version 23097 answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1196308

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Veterans: Suicide
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the number of veterans who have died from suicide in the (a) most recent year for which information is available and (b) last five years.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	47221
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government takes the welfare of Service personnel and veterans very seriously. Whilst we recognise that suicide affects wider society, not just the Armed Forces, any such death is one too many and a tragedy for all concerned.</p><p> </p><p>Suicide data for veterans of the UK Armed Forces is not currently captured by the Government. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), alongside the Office for Veterans Affairs within the Cabinet Office, are working to improve data collection of the veteran community, as envisioned by the ‘Strategy for our Veterans’.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD has commissioned a new study to investigate causes of death, including suicide, amongst all those who served in the UK Armed Forces between 2001 and 2014, covering combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, encompassing veterans and those still serving:</p><p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fnew-study-into-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-launched&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthew.Aves243%40mod.gov.uk%7Cfa55b46a6081487ce14208d7fbf23653%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C637254890018349035&amp;sdata=8hzxqvhox%2F%2BHZh2u7%2Bxn%2BfJX4vWwV%2Fg1UUCmjor%2B8YI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-study-into-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-launched</a>. MOD officials are continuing to work with colleagues in NHS Digital, the Health Research Authority and National Records Scotland to overcome challenges and are hopeful that the initial report will be published later this year.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD also publishes studies on the causes of death, including suicide, of veterans from the 1982 Falklands war: (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-among-the-uk-armed-forces-veterans-of-the-1982-falklands-campaign" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-among-the-uk-armed-forces-veterans-of-the-1982-falklands-campaign</a>) and from the 1990/91 Gulf war: (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-that-occurred-among-the-uk-veterans-of-the-199091-gulf-conflict" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-that-occurred-among-the-uk-veterans-of-the-199091-gulf-conflict</a>). Both studies show that the suicide rates amongst veterans were lower than comparative rates in the civilian population.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer grouped question UIN 47222 question first answered 21/05/2020 09:19:57 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1196309

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Death
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to publish the preliminary findings of the study into causes of death of military personnel who were deployed to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	47222
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government takes the welfare of Service personnel and veterans very seriously. Whilst we recognise that suicide affects wider society, not just the Armed Forces, any such death is one too many and a tragedy for all concerned.</p><p> </p><p>Suicide data for veterans of the UK Armed Forces is not currently captured by the Government. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), alongside the Office for Veterans Affairs within the Cabinet Office, are working to improve data collection of the veteran community, as envisioned by the ‘Strategy for our Veterans’.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD has commissioned a new study to investigate causes of death, including suicide, amongst all those who served in the UK Armed Forces between 2001 and 2014, covering combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, encompassing veterans and those still serving:</p><p><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fnew-study-into-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-launched&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthew.Aves243%40mod.gov.uk%7Cfa55b46a6081487ce14208d7fbf23653%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C637254890018349035&amp;sdata=8hzxqvhox%2F%2BHZh2u7%2Bxn%2BfJX4vWwV%2Fg1UUCmjor%2B8YI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-study-into-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-launched</a>. MOD officials are continuing to work with colleagues in NHS Digital, the Health Research Authority and National Records Scotland to overcome challenges and are hopeful that the initial report will be published later this year.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD also publishes studies on the causes of death, including suicide, of veterans from the 1982 Falklands war: (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-among-the-uk-armed-forces-veterans-of-the-1982-falklands-campaign" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-among-the-uk-armed-forces-veterans-of-the-1982-falklands-campaign</a>) and from the 1990/91 Gulf war: (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-that-occurred-among-the-uk-veterans-of-the-199091-gulf-conflict" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-that-occurred-among-the-uk-veterans-of-the-199091-gulf-conflict</a>). Both studies show that the suicide rates amongst veterans were lower than comparative rates in the civilian population.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer grouped question UIN 47221 question first answered 21/05/2020 09:19:57 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1195477

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Navy: Fisheries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Royal Navy vessels (a) currently available and (b) which will be made available for fishery protection at the end of the transition period; and whether any further role is planned for HMS Clyde.
tabling member constituency	New Forest East
tabling member printed	Dr Julian Lewis
uin	46517
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The Royal Navy does not maintain vessels exclusively employed for fishery protection activities; however, it does have and operate three River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels currently in UK waters, that conduct fishery patrol tasking alongside their other Defence tasks. HMS MERSEY, TYNE and SEVERN are, and will continue to be, used to fulfil the Royal Navy's commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Navy and the Marine Management Organisation. In addition, the Royal Navy maintains a number of high readiness forces in UK waters that could be called upon to assist if requested.</p><p>HMS CLYDE was operated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) under lease from BAE Systems. This arrangement ended at the end of March 2020, and the ship was returned to the company. The MOD has no plans for a further role for HMS CLYDE.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 18/05/2020 13:40:29 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1195538

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military personnel have been tested for covid-19; and of those how many have tested (a) positive and (b) negative.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	46546
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is using a range of measures, including testing, to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to its personnel and staff.</p><p> </p><p>Defence personnel are included within the national testing programme established by Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Health Service, and testing has been incorporated into Defence's wider strategy of risk-reduction measures to minimise the potential risk to personnel deploying overseas.</p><p> </p><p>Figures of Armed Forces personnel who have been tested positive for COVID-19 or have been hospitalised are included within the overall DHSC figures. The MOD does not routinely publish the number of tests administered to Defence personnel nor the number of positive and negative cases of COVID-19 within its workforce.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 18/05/2020 16:53:07 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1195545

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Global Navigation Satellite Systems
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 defence implications of a satellite navigation system for the UK.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	46551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>UK Armed Forces rely upon accurate Positioning, Navigation and Timing information for a variety of critical applications. We have privileged access to US GPS, the world's foremost GNSS system. The Ministry of Defence is committed to a systems-of-systems approach to managing PNT vulnerabilities; we are working across Government, including the UK Space Agency, to develop options for UK Assured PNT to maximise return on investment and meet Critical National Infrastructure requirements.</p> answering member constituency Wells answering member printed James Heappey question first answered 20/05/2020 15:54:46 answering member 4528 label Biography information for James Heappey
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1195550

registered interest
date	13/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Tankers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the former Secretary of State for Defence's keynote speech at the Sea Power Conference on 15 May 2019, what progress he has made on (a) commissioning and (b) setting a timescale for completion for work examining the lessons from the Mars tanker procurement; and if he will place a report of the findings of that work in the House of Commons Library.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	46552
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>For details of the schedule for the MARS (Tide Class) Tanker Learning from Experience report, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister for Defence Procurement (Anne-Marie Trevelyan) on 4 September 2019 to Question 286672 to the right Hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones).</p><p> </p><p>I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Warley (John Spellar) on 18 May 2020 in response to Question 45955.</p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 20/05/2020 07:38:27 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin attachment 1 file name Hansard Extracts.docx title Royal Fleet Auxiliary
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey