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Question
Concerned about the flagging momentum in military aid to Ukraine, questions include lack of new weapons pledges since February, no 2023 action plan as promised last August, only one contract from international fund launched last year. Also mentioned war crime tribunals and Ukrainian refugees' issues.
Minister reply
The UK is leading Europe in supporting Ukraine with £5 billion allocated for replenishing stocks and a total of £520 million raised through the international fund. The government will continue to support Ukraine's efforts, but no apologies are made for using munitions to defend democratic integrity against aggression.
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Question
What estimate has the Minister made of the continuing ability of Ukraine to deny air superiority to Russia?
Minister reply
Ukraine continues to prevail in all dimensions, and the international fund is active in providing air defence which is crucial for winning this conflict.
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Question
What are the UK Government doing to get defensive weapons, including ammunition, to Bakhmut as soon as possible? Are they coordinating with producers and European allies regarding iodine tablets and radiation treatment?
Minister reply
The UK stands ready to assist in any way it can be of help, particularly given the concerns raised about nuclear blackmail at Zaporizhzhia.
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Question
What efforts are being made to replenish stocks of weapons? Our generosity has come at a cost and Britain must keep its arms ready.
Minister reply
Some £5 billion from the integrated review refresh and spring Budget will be used for replenishing stocks. The munitions expended in Ukraine defend democracy against territorial aggression.
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Question
Questions the frequency of ministerial statements on Ukraine, inquires about the current state of munitions stockpiles for both domestic use and support to Ukraine.
Minister reply
Concentrates on supporting Ukraine through munitions supply and training efforts. Acknowledges the spring Budget provided substantial funding for replenishment.
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Question
Inquires about the role of UK armed forces in delivering weapons to Ukraine and potential escalation with Russia.
Minister reply
Emphasises the need for diplomatic settlement, acknowledges ongoing training efforts, aiming to train 20,000 Ukrainians by year-end.
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Question
Asks about concrete actions following the Prime Minister's stockpile review and plans for growing defence industrial capacity.
Minister reply
Highlights ongoing negotiations with defence partners, acknowledges rapidity of industry responses in providing armaments.
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Question
Asks for assurance on UK military presence inside Ukraine to protect diplomatic missions.
Minister reply
Provides assurance, emphasising the importance of protecting those engaged in diplomacy.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Inquires about protection measures for North Sea assets and UK critical national infrastructure from potential threats.
Minister reply
Acknowledges ongoing investigations regarding Nord Stream gas pipeline interdiction; assures subsea surveillance is prioritised.
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Question
Asks about humanitarian support, particularly in providing ambulances and 4x4s.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for armoured ambulances; mentions provision of CVR(T)-Saracen ambulances to Ukraine.
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Question
Questions about plans for replenishing military stockpiles and adapting defence procurement.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for agile provision of munitions, highlighting the Budget's £5 billion uplift for nuclear endeavours.
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Question
Inquires about measures to enhance Ukrainian interoperability with NATO forces.
Minister reply
Confirms ongoing work to ensure interoperability and anticipation of enhancements at the upcoming NATO summit.
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Question
Asks about longer-range weapons provided to Ukraine and their supply timeline.
Minister reply
Confirms provision of AS-90 artillery pieces; emphasises defensive nature of support.
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Question
Inquires about delivery status of kit and equipment announced in January, including Challenger 2 tanks and AS-90s.
Minister reply
Confirms the delivery has been made.
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Question
Asks when the Defence Secretary last spoke to NATO Secretary-General regarding today’s announcement and Chinese negotiations.
Minister reply
Offers to write a response with the required information.
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Question
Requests assurance that aid funding for Ukraine will not come from the core Defence budget.
Minister reply
Provides assurance that aid funding will be separate from the core Defence budget.
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Question
Questions why the UK Government has delayed in declaring the Wagner Group a trans-national terror organisation.
Minister reply
Confirms sanctions on over 1,500 individuals and entities connected to this conflict, including the Wagner Group.
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Question
The Minister was slightly unfair to the shadow Secretary of State in saying that he welcomed and understood his attacking: my hon. Friend was not attacking but doing his proper and constitutional job, as a spokesperson for His Majesty’s loyal Opposition, of holding the Government to account.
Minister reply
I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is not lost. I probably would not trust a member of the Government to make that assertion, but President Zelensky himself has made it plain in his remarks that the UK has played a formidable leadership role in ensuring that Ukraine can repel Putin’s barbarism and the atrocity committed upon the state of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia.
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Question
I am proud that the UK has taken a lead on Ukraine and has brought together allies from across the world to play their part. One of the ways that we have done that is through the British armed forces training programme, bringing those Ukrainian armed forces personnel up to speed with the latest fighting techniques.
Minister reply
I visited the Ukrainians training in the UK and spoke with them and their trainers. They are an extraordinary bunch of people. By the end of the year we will have trained 20,000 of them. The quality of our training is peerless, right across the domains that one would expect.
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Question
Given the seriousness of the situation, why are Ministers pressing ahead with further cuts to the British Army, with troop numbers estimated to fall by a further 10,000?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady should be careful about what she reads in the press. We have been consistent in our support for the armed forces. I am grateful for the shadow Secretary of State’s support for what the Government are trying to achieve in Ukraine.
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Question
What estimate has the Minister made of the number of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by Russian forces? What support has been offered to Ukrainian forces to return those children to their parents?
Minister reply
The removal of children from Ukraine to Russia is truly shocking and heartrending. The best we can hope for is that Putin sees the reputational damage that it delivers to him and his country and reverses his policy.
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Question
We all want the Ukrainian counter-offensive to be successful. My right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey) was right to challenge the Government on whether they are adhering to their commitments. On the point about long-range missiles, which my right hon. Friend and others have pressed the Minister on
Minister reply
Our provision of munitions, in concert with others, is driven by the Ukrainian ask and our ability to deliver them. That was discussed at Ramstein and will be discussed further at Vilnius, subject to the second round of the international fund call that opened on 11 April.
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Question
In the face of a Russian invasion, we must continue to support and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. But this war has exposed how the Conservative Government have underfunded and hollowed out our armed forces over the last 13 years.
Minister reply
As the hon. Gentleman should know, we committed to 148 Challenger 3 upgrades in the integrated review refresh. That remains our position.
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Question
A few moments ago, the Minister said that we must give to Ukraine what Ukraine tells us it needs. All of us here will have been in Westminster Hall to hear President Zelensky’s impassioned speech.
Minister reply
Ukraine has had munitions from the international community, and in particular from the United Kingdom. We plan to train pilots to operate jets.
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Question
The demand for prosthetic limbs in Ukraine continues to climb owing to the conflict.
Minister reply
Recently, I was pleased to visit the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, which is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence. Its expertise will undoubtedly influence how Ukraine develops its capacity in prosthetics.