As the House is aware, the Ministry of Defence is currently conducting the Modernising Defence Programme.<\/p>
I meet the National Security Adviser on a regular basis to discuss key issues including Russia\u2019s increasingly destabilising behaviour, conflict and tension in Syria and the wider Middle East, the spread of violent extremism and organised crime in ungoverned spaces, and the situation on the Korean peninsula.<\/p>
The Modernising Defence Programme will take all of this into account as we determine what capabilities and policies we need to meet the threats we face.<\/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" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:48:41.37Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Security"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent discussions he has had with the National Security Adviser on the current and future intensity of the threat environment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4647", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julia Lopez"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hornchurch and Upminster"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julia Lopez"} ], "uin" : "905756"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921349", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921349/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In March this year, given ongoing negotiations about post-Brexit arrangements between the UK and EU, we decided to withdraw our provisional offer to lead an EU Battlegroup in the second half of 2019.<\/p>
<\/p>
Our decision gave good time for another Member State to take on the role.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement has confirmed that the UK may not lead an EU Battlegroup during the Implementation Period.<\/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" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:47:19.78Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Battlegroups"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the Government's decision to withdraw from leading the EU battlegroup in 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4616", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Duffield"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Canterbury"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Duffield"} ], "uin" : "905759"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921350", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921350/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Tensions on the Korean peninsula are lower than for some time.<\/p>
We look forward to the summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-Un and hope that it results in an agreement that brings about complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.<\/p>
I urge Kim Jong-Un to heed the clear message that it is only through a change of course that he can realise the security and prosperity that North Korea claims to seek.<\/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" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:46:27.03Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "North Korea: South Korea"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent assessment he has made of the military situation on the Korean peninsula.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kevin Foster"} ], "uin" : "905761"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921351", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921351/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As is befitting an island nation, the UK has one of the most capable, skilled and experienced navies in the world. It is of vital strategic importance to UK security and prosperity.<\/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" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:45:46.99Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Navy"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What assessment he has made of the strategic importance of sea power for UK security and prosperity.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1390", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr John Baron"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Basildon and Billericay"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr John Baron"} ], "uin" : "905766"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/919298", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/919298/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Since my oral answer of 26th<\/sup> April 2018 (Official Report, col 1014) I have consulted with representatives of the Diocese and of Seaham Parish and I understand that the land being developed is not owned either by the Parish, the Diocese or the Church Commissioners. Any objections must therefore be made formally and in the usual manner to the Local Authority planning office.<\/p> <\/p> To date the Diocese has not been asked to submit a view on the development. It would be for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary\u2019s the Virgin to ask them to do so.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/312", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Meriden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dame Caroline Spelman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:22:31.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Churches: Seaham"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Honourable Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 26 April 2018, Official Report, col 1014, whether she has held discussions with the diocese on St Mary\u2019s the Virgin Church, Seaham.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3973", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Grahame Morris"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Easington"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Grahame Morris"}
], "uin" : "151150"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918392", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918392/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government recognises the importance of customs brokers in supporting business through the importing and exporting process.<\/p> <\/p> Future customs arrangements will depend on the outcome of the negotiations. In some scenarios, following the UK\u2019s exit from the EU, we expect that there would need to be an increase in capacity in the customs broker sector to meet business needs.<\/p> <\/p> We are considering capacity and capability requirements for future customs arrangements as part of our EU exit planning.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T16:24:53.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Customs Unions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of customs brokers that would be required in the event that the UK leaves the EU (a) without a deal, (b) with a new customs partnership and (c) with a maximum facilitation agreement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Watson of Wyre Forest"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Bromwich East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tom Watson"}
], "uin" : "150606"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918393", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918393/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The government recognises the importance of customs brokers in supporting business through the importing and exporting process.<\/p> <\/p> Future customs arrangements will depend on the outcome of the negotiations. In some scenarios, following the UK\u2019s exit from the EU, we expect that there would need to be an increase in capacity in the customs broker sector to meet business needs.<\/p> <\/p> We are considering capacity and capability requirements for future customs arrangements as part of our EU exit planning.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T16:27:27.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Customs Unions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on (a) the economy and (b) revenue to the public purse of not recruiting an adequate number of customs brokers in the event that the UK leaves the EU (i) without a deal (ii) with a new customs partnership and (iii) with a maximum facilitation agreement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Watson of Wyre Forest"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Bromwich East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tom Watson"}
], "uin" : "150607"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918394", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918394/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government remains committed to the Midland Metropolitan Hospital project. Ministers across Government are determined to finish construction as quickly as possible in a way that secures best value for the tax payer. We are in active discussions with all relevant parties to restart the project as soon as possible.<\/p> <\/p> The lenders that finance the private finance initiative company put forward a proposal to restart the project. That would have involved a further contribution of public capital. Ministers concluded that this proposal was not acceptable to the Government, for a number of reasons, and that only a contractual solution could be considered.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Barclay"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:56:14.89Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hospitals: Construction"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 139949, when work on the Midland Metropolitan Hospital is planned to restart.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"}
], "uin" : "150571"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918395", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918395/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T13:53:15.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2018 to Question 146881 on Personal Independence Payment, how many personal independence payment assessment reports (a) have included consideration of informal observations and (b) used those informal observations to come to a decision in each year for which information is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4365", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil Gray"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil Gray"}
], "uin" : "150695"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918396", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918396/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is exploring a number of options to improve the provision of medical evidence for Personal Independence Payments and Employment and Support Allowance as set out in its response to recommendation 5 of the Work & Pensions Select Committee.<\/p> <\/p>