We have enormous admiration and respect for the unique contribution and sacrifice made by Bomber Command aircrew which has been recognised in various ways. Bomber Command aircrew serving after 5 June 1944 (the end date for award of the Air Crew Europe Star) were given recognition for their service in the form of the France and Germany Star.<\/p>
Subsequently, in his independent Medals Review in 2012, Sir John Holmes concluded that Bomber Command had been treated inconsistently with those who served in Fighter Command, and his recommendation of the award of the clasp to Bomber Command air crew was to bring this Command into line with Fighter Command veterans who were awarded a Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939-45 Star, thus reflecting the significant contribution both made to defeating the Nazi threat.<\/p>
In light of the above, we have no plans to revisit the issue of Medallic recognition for Bomber Command veterans, further to the findings of Sir John Holmes' review. It is a matter for the Advisory Military Sub Committee (AMSC) of the Committee on the Grants of Honours, Decorations and Medals, to whom a case regarding Bomber Command has been submitted, to determine whether they will give the issue further consideration.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:04:41.46Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "World War II: Military Decorations"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in advance of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Air Crew Europe Star, in line with the Atlantic Star, to ensure that Bomber Command aircrew who have not received either a 1939-45 Star, nor a Bomber Command clasp, get recognition for their sacrifice and service during World War II.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thirsk and Malton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kevin Hollinrake"} ], "uin" : "286297"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142782", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142782/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The increased resource position provided by the most recent planning round meets Defence requirements. Decisions on the number of resourced crews beyond that date have not been finalised and will be undertaken as part of normal budgetary cycles. This process considers and prioritises safety above all other enhancements.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:03:19.23Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hercules Aircraft"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Safety Authority report into the loss of a C130J Hercules in Iraq in August 2017, published May 2019, which stated that the resourced position of 20 crews will be insufficient to deliver a sustainable force beyond 2019, what additional (a) financial and (b) personnel resources have been allocated to the C130J force to ensure its sustainability.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4589", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Courts"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witney"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Courts"} ], "uin" : "284414"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142971", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1142971/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Hybrid threats present themselves across multiple domains, and consequently Her Majesty's Government considers a 'whole of Government approach' as critical to ensure effective resilience, response and deterrence.<\/p>
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a key role to play in this, and is firmly committed to collaboration with other Government departments, working in line with Fusion Doctrine to achieve a cohesive approach.<\/strong><\/p> Informed by the policy direction set out in the National Security Capability Review (NSCR) and Modernising Defence Programme (MDP) MOD is actively working to evolve our vision for Joint Force 2025 to address the more uncertain, volatile international security environment that has developed since 2015.<\/p> As hybrid threats manifest in multiple domains, the UK needs to maintain credible forces to deter and defend against a broad spectrum of threats.<\/p> As we develop new capabilities to address emerging threats we must carefully and objectively balance this with the continued need to protect against conventional attack. Where possible we will seek to develop capabilities that have utility across the spectrum of conflict. We do not comment on the specifics of capabilities being developed in the interests of National Security, as these could be of use to a potential adversary.<\/p> Resilience is also key when dealing with hybrid threats, and we are aware that we must protect conventional capabilities from new threats. The MOD has, therefore, invested significantly in cyber defence and security across its capabilities and infrastructure, with £265 million being invested in a pioneering approach to root out cyber vulnerabilities within military platforms and wider cyber dependent systems, helping defence better understand and mitigate cyber risks.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:04:17.503Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hybrid Warfare"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans to improve the UK's hybrid warfare capability.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1438", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Durham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Kevan Jones"}
], "uin" : "284460"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143692", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1143692/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Local government plays a vital role in preparing the country to be fully ready for Brexit on 31 October.<\/p> We have stepped up our preparedness significantly and speak regularly to councils and partners, including through the Local Government Brexit Delivery Board and a network of nine regional chief executives. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government leads this engagement.<\/p> Every council has designated a Brexit Lead Officer to work with central government to intensify their local preparations and, in total, we have made £77 million available to help local areas get ready for Brexit.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-09T15:03:50.547Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Defence: Brexit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what meetings his Department has had with Bristol City Council to discuss preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"}
], "uin" : "285326"}
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}