I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4108", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Gavin Williamson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Staffordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Gavin Williamson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T17:48:36.507Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Members: Correspondence"} , "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, when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Llanelli, of 11 December 2018, on civil marriages, civil partnerships and same-sex religious marriages for the armed forces.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nia Griffith"} ], "uin" : "215132"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052346", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052346/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Defence Equipment Sales Authority disposes of defence equipment that is surplus to requirement, most of which is sold through a series of competitively awarded marketing agreements with specialist contractors. There are processes in place for the identification of sensitive items and these are used to select the appropriate specialist contractor. The subsequent final disposal route is a matter for the contractor and the Ministry of Defence does not therefore hold the requested information.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4032", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stuart Andrew"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Pudsey"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stuart Andrew"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T16:59:33.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Defence Equipment: Auctions"} , "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, how much equipment his Department has sold at auction in each year since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nia Griffith"} ], "uin" : "215133"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052348", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052348/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is increasingly challenging itself to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. It recognises that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the organisation. The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018 to 2030: A Force for Inclusion was issued by the Secretary of State for Defence in October 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2018-to-2030-a-force-for-inclusion<\/a>. This renewed strategy is focused on the delivery of a set of strategic goals and objectives that clearly set out what sort of organisation we want to be in the future: inclusive; appropriately representative of UK society; and a force for inclusion in wider society.<\/p> <\/p> Since the lifting of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the military in the year 2000, the MOD has welcomed and supported all personnel, irrespective of sexual orientation, actively celebrating and supporting the diversity of all our personnel. Support is available including through LGBT champions, senior LGBT role models, active LGBT networks and over 150 personnel trained by Stonewall as LGBT allies. The single Services (and MOD civilians) took part in the 2018 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, with all three Services being placed in the Top 100 Employers. In March 2018, for the second year running, the MOD flew the transgender flag to mark Transgender Day of Visibility. The MOD once again flew the rainbow flag from the top of our Main Building, as LGBT Service personnel marched alongside their civilian colleagues at London Pride 2018.<\/p> <\/p> All three Services have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying of all kinds, including homophobic bullying. All military personnel receive mandatory diversity and inclusion training on entry into service and every two years which both educates people on the reasons for positive behaviour, and the options for seeking help when poor behaviours are displayed. The Services have a robust policy for dealing with all bullying, Joint Service Publication 763, a copy of which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-763-the-mod-bullying-and-harassment-complaints-procedures<\/a>. Equality and diversity advisors are also embedded within each unit, acting as the first point of call for any personnel subjected to bullying or harassment.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "215136"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T16:30:47.807Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Bullying"}
, "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 steps his Department is taking to tackle homophobic bullying in the Armed Forces.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nia Griffith"}
], "uin" : "215134"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052349", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052349/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Thirty-two personnel from the UK will take part in Ex DESERT SOLDIER, all from 3 SCOTS.<\/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" : "2019-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-05T16:35:55.31Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Saudi Arabia: Joint Exercises"}
, "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, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2018 to Question 200616 on Saudi Arabia: Joint Exercises, how many personnel will take part in the table-top planning exercise (Exercise DESERT SOLDIER) from 29 March-14 April 2019; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1541", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Llanelli"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Nia Griffith"}
], "uin" : "215135"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052350", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1052350/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is increasingly challenging itself to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. It recognises that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the organisation. The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018 to 2030: A Force for Inclusion was issued by the Secretary of State for Defence in October 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2018-to-2030-a-force-for-inclusion<\/a>. This renewed strategy is focused on the delivery of a set of strategic goals and objectives that clearly set out what sort of organisation we want to be in the future: inclusive; appropriately representative of UK society; and a force for inclusion in wider society.<\/p> <\/p> Since the lifting of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the military in the year 2000, the MOD has welcomed and supported all personnel, irrespective of sexual orientation, actively celebrating and supporting the diversity of all our personnel. Support is available including through LGBT champions, senior LGBT role models, active LGBT networks and over 150 personnel trained by Stonewall as LGBT allies. The single Services (and MOD civilians) took part in the 2018 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, with all three Services being placed in the Top 100 Employers. In March 2018, for the second year running, the MOD flew the transgender flag to mark Transgender Day of Visibility. The MOD once again flew the rainbow flag from the top of our Main Building, as LGBT Service personnel marched alongside their civilian colleagues at London Pride 2018.<\/p> <\/p>