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 printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed question first answered answering member label attachment file name title
tabling member	label

Search

1714676

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Defence: Expenditure
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 April of an increase in defence spending to a new baseline of 2.5 per cent GDP by 2030 differs from the pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030 given by the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, at the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022; and whether a spending review will be required.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL4161
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2024 answer text <p>The Prime Minister's announcement is for a fully funded commitment to reach 2.5% of GDP in financial year (FY)2030-31. It is supported by a commitment not to increase borrowing or debt.</p><p>The current spending review period concludes at the end of FY2024-25, and a future Spending Review will formalise spending plans for the following period.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 14/05/2024 14:08:02 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1694830

registered interest
date	08/03/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Hawk Aircraft: Training
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to resolve the engine fault on the RAF Hawk T2 advanced jet trainers; how many Hawk T2 jets are currently unavailable for fast-jet pilot training; what delays to fast-jet pilot training have been caused by that engine fault; and what is the additional cost of training pilots overseas as a result.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL3160
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>Defence Equipment &amp; Support is closely engaged with industry to increase the number of serviceable engines through the delivery of the required new component parts and engine upgrade work to address the current limitations.</p><p> </p><p>As at 11 March 2024, 16 Hawk T2 aircraft were currently unavailable for fast jet pilot training<strong>.</strong></p><p> </p><p>There have been minimal delays to Fast Jet pilot training as a result of the Hawk T2 engine issue. Despite the seriousness of the engineering issue, the implementation of mitigation measures such as the international outsourcing of Fast Jet training have reduced the impact to a minimal level. Those trainees on course at the time of the engine issue being discovered were delayed by up to 2-months maximum; no other trainees in the Fast Jet pipeline were adversely impacted or delayed. There has been no impact to the number of ab-initio Fast Jet pilots delivered to the Front Line as a result of the Hawk T2 engine issue and the forecast Fast Jet training requirement for the Front Line will continue to be met.</p><p> </p><p>The cost per trainee of contracts with NATO allies are already a matter of public record. The Department is unable to disclose the full value of all contracts, as doing so would prejudice international relations and compromise our friendship with partners and allies.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 22/03/2024 12:09:09 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1691294

registered interest
date	22/02/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Nuclear Weapons
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following the HMS Vanguard Demonstration and Shakedown Operation which took place on 30 January, what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Trident nuclear deterrent.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL2712
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the noble Lord to the Written Statement I laid in this House on 21 February, HLWS268.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 06/03/2024 14:45:55 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto attachment 1 file name HLWS 268 - Nuclear Deterrent.docx title Nuclear Deterrent
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1690192

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Navy: Aircraft Carriers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to minimise reputational damage to the UK’s Armed Forces capability, following recent issues regarding the material state of the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL2556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2024 answer text <p>The recent issue on HMS Queen Elizabeth was identified during pre-sailing checks and is corrosion on a coupling on the starboard shaft caused through general wear and tear. It is not the same issue experienced by HMS Prince of Wales in 2022. It is not uncommon to have maintenance issues with state-of-the-art ships which contain complex engineering and technology. HMS Queen Elizabeth is a decade old and has thousands of miles under her hull, conducting operations around the world.</p><p>As a replacement, HMS Prince of Wales was able to deploy to take part in Operation Steadfast Defender in seven days, which is a huge undertaking. This ability to rapidly deploy another carrier to an urgent task underlines the importance of having two aircraft carriers, providing flexibility and the ability to project power around the world.</p><p>The Royal Navy continues to meet its operational commitments at home and abroad.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 04/03/2024 16:56:25 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1685197

registered interest
date	25/01/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Marines: Recruitment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is the target size of the Royal Marines; how many Commandos currently serve in the Royal Marines; and what steps they are taking (1) to improve the recruitment of, and (2) to combat the shortfall in the number of serving, Commandos.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1927
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2024 answer text <p>I can confirm that it is the Government’s intention to announce an indicative projected strength for Regular Armed Forces personnel shortly which will provide further detail on planned future Armed Force strengths. However, I can confirm that as of 1 October 2023, there are currently 6,040 Royal Marines (RM) Commandos. This figure excludes the RM Band Service.</p><p> </p><p>These figures are published on a quarterly basis for all His Majesty’s Armed Forces and can be found at the following website: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2023." target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2023.</a></p><p> </p><p>RM recruitment is benefiting from Defence delivered improvements to the offer including pay and pension reviews, accommodation and recruitment drives and the recruitment bounty scheme. Additionally, specific recruitment activity undertaken directly by the RM include continuing RM outreach and advertising (across traditional and social media), streamlining the recruitment process, increased mentoring at the Commando Training Centre and ensuring development opportunities for Commando instructors.</p><p> </p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 08/02/2024 15:22:20 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1628699

registered interest
date	17/05/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Strait of Hormuz: Patrol Craft
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to increase defensive patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz following the undertaking by the United States’ National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on 12 May to seek to increase co-ordination and interoperability of the International Maritime Security construct and European Maritime awareness in the Strait of Hormuz.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL7909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2023 answer text <p>The UK currently commands the International Maritime Security Construct, which provides an immediate response to the threat in the Persian Gulf by providing reassurance to commercial shipping and maintaining the security of the maritime commons.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the UK demonstrates our commitment to freedom of navigation through the deployment of HMS LANCASTER, a Type 23 Frigate, which regularly patrols the Gulf of Oman and through the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside the US, the UK is currently increasing defensive maritime patrols in the Strait of Hormuz to provide additional security for maritime commerce in the region.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/06/2023 12:35:58 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1586015

registered interest
date	09/02/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Germany: Defence Equipment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what restrictions are placed on the use of defence equipment supplied to the Ministry of Defence by German arms manufacturers, including the new Boxer armoured transport vehicles due to enter UK service in 2023.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL5608
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2023 answer text <p>Equipment supplied to the Ministry of Defence by German arms manufacturers has no restriction on use while it remains in our possession and under our control. Should the UK wish to subsequently sell, loan, or transfer such equipment to our allies and partners then all such sharing would be subject to the relevant laws on intellectual property, national export regulations and licence conditions that identify and control the end user, and reflect international arms controls and human rights legislation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 23/02/2023 16:29:18 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1586017

registered interest
date	09/02/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Espionage: China
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether any Chinese spy balloons incursions have been detected over UK airspace in the past two years; and whether they have received any reports from European countries of any similar incursions into European airspace during that time.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL5610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2023 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to the answer the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (James Heappey) provided to the right hon. Member for Wentworth &amp; Dearne (John Healey) on 14 February 2023 to Question 140019 in the House of Commons.</p><p>The Government and partners will also undertake a security review of UK and international airspace.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 23/02/2023 16:29:56 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie attachment 1 file name UIN 140019.docx title Airspace
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1586018

registered interest
date	09/02/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ukraine: Military Aircraft
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fighter jets the UK Armed Forces currently have in service that would be suitable for use by Ukraine; and what assessment they have made of how many of those it would be possible for the UK to provide to Ukraine.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL5611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2023 answer text <p>In addition to existing commitments of support already made as recently as those at Ramstein in January 2023, the Prime Minister has asked the Defence Secretary to investigate what support we might be able to give on the provision of combat aircraft to Ukraine. This work is ongoing.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 23/02/2023 16:32:03 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1472995

registered interest
date	23/06/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Afghanistan: Refugees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many former Locally Employed Staff have made applications for relocation or other assistance under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy; how many of these applications have (1) been processed, and (2) are waiting to be processed; what is the average length of time for an application to be processed; and how long they expect it will take to clear any backlog.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2022 answer text <p>Since January 2022 we have received approximately 3,000 ARAP applications per month. Given many of these are speculative or duplicates, we cannot provide precise data as to processed or waiting to be processed numbers.</p><p> </p><p>Application processing times can vary given the complexities of individual circumstances such as, but not limited to, their ability to respond to requests for information, their location, access to IT or employment checks.</p><p> </p><p>However, the speed of decision making in HM Government does not solely determine the speed of evacuation. Many ARAP applicants are undocumented and cannot leave Afghanistan through any official route. We are bringing them out at the speed our partners in the region will allow.</p><p> </p><p>To date, we have relocated over 9,600 eligible individuals and their dependents and we estimate that there are 8,000 (inclusive of their dependents) ARAP eligible individuals still to be relocated to the UK. This figure is subject to change as we continue to work through the outstanding applications.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 07/07/2022 16:12:32 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian