Topical Questions 2024-05-20

2024-05-20

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The situation in Kharkiv, Ukraine is concerning as Russia attempts to make territorial gains. The MP wants to discuss the government's response.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Given the loss of lives in Kharkiv and the ongoing conflict, how does the government plan to ensure continued support for Ukraine?
We are very mindful of the situation in Ukraine, particularly in Kharkiv where Russia is making, or trying to make, inroads. This is an existential battle for all civilised countries that believe in democracy and freedom, and it is the case that we must ensure that the world continues to keep up the efforts. It is not right for there to be pauses in our support.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or additional funding details were not provided
We Are Mindful World Must Continue Efforts
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
Lieutenant General Pavliuk confirmed that drones now cause the most casualties in the conflict. The MP seeks clarification on Britain's role.
Lieutenant General Pavliuk recently stated that medium and short-range strike drones now kill more soldiers than any other weapon. Given this, what specific steps is the UK taking to master drone technology and support Ukraine?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is one reason why this country has been at the forefront of providing drones. Indeed, we have made an enormous £325 million contribution to the drones coalition and provided 4,000 drones in the latest package.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
John Healey Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Context
The Labour party supports the increase in military aid to Ukraine but questions whether it is sustainable without addressing cuts since 2010.
Supporting Ukraine's £3 billion annual military aid has Labour's full support. However, with nearly 50,000 personnel cut from forces since 2010 and previous defence spending reduced by £80 billion, how sustainable is this increase without further cuts?
I very much appreciate the hon. Gentleman's support for the ongoing support to Ukraine of £3 billion a year. I gently say to him that it is not possible to provide that support without a route to getting there, with the 2.5%; otherwise, it will come out of the rest of the budget.
Assessment & feedback
Specifics on cuts and sustainability were avoided
It Is Not Possible Support Without Route
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
John Healey Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Context
The previous Minister admitted the current government has 'hollowed out and underfunded' forces, leading Labour to question if another five years of conservative rule is detrimental.
Defence spending increased to 2.5% but cuts since 2010 total £80 billion. Does the current approach risk further damage to armed forces over the next five years?
The armed forces cannot afford a Labour Government if Labour cannot answer one simple question: when?
Assessment & feedback
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Labour Cannot Answer When
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
The MP seeks further files on the tragic sinking of RFA Sir Galahad in the Falklands war from previously reviewed extracts.
Following meetings with veterans and reviewing files at National Archives, will the Minister update the House on any new information regarding the sinking of RFA Sir Galahad?
Following meetings with colleagues and veterans, having personally reviewed the files at the National Archives, and in the interests of transparency, I am placing copies of two recently reviewed extracts from the 1982 board of inquiry report on the loss of RFA Sir Galahad in the Library of the House.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
Hundreds of RMT members took industrial action over a 36% real-term pay cut since 2010, while commending their work in Gaza.
With RMT members taking industrial action over pay cuts since 2010 and maintaining operational commitments in Gaza, will the Minister meet RMT officials to ensure fair payment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service seafarers?
As the grandson of an RFA officer, I defer to nobody in my admiration for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. I commend the RFA for maintaining its operational commitments, in particular in relation to Gaza.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting RMT officials was not addressed
Admiration Maintaining Commitments
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
RAF Valley is a significant employer with confirmed investments for the future, but concerns exist about post-2040 job security.
With £175 million for new flying school, £600 million for Hawk engineering support, and £44 million for runway improvement, what assurance can be given to RAF Valley engineers that there will be secure local jobs after 2040?
I very much enjoyed my visit to RAF Valley in February. I can confirm that the RAF has already started its standard capability investigation process into the future of combat aircrew training.
Assessment & feedback
Specific job assurances post-2040 were not provided
Enjoyed Visit Started Process
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
The MP seeks clarification on the supply of shells for Ukrainian military operations.
I was thinking of an even better question—how many artillery shells has the UK supplied to Ukraine since confirming 300,000 earlier?
The hon. Gentleman asks about the supply of shells. I am delighted to tell to him that we previously confirmed the provision of 300,000 artillery shells to Ukraine. The latest figure is that this country has procured 400,000 artillery shells directly into Ukraine.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Mark Francois Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Context
The MP questions the readiness of UK's A400M aircraft for historical commemorations.
How can it be that despite spending billions on 22 A400M aircraft, we have only one available for D-Day 80? If there are more, let us hear about it. Why did we retire a highly reliable aircraft in the Hercules, for a highly unreliable one in the A400M? Have we sold the Hercules aircraft? If not, can we put them back in service?
We will have two A400M aircraft available for D-Day 80 on 5 June. The number of people who will be dropped will be 181, due to the historical context involving a specific number of paratroopers from D-Day.
Assessment & feedback
Specific reliability issues and potential reinstatement of Hercules aircraft
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the potential closure of Chicksands base in his constituency and has yet to receive further details from the Minister.
In my Westminster Hall debate last year, the Minister for Defence Procurement announced plans to close the Chicksands base in my constituency. I am yet to hear more from the Minister, but my constituents are becoming deeply concerned. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the issue further and what more we can do in the meantime to address the shocking state of accommodation on the base?
I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting details, state of accommodation at Chicksands base
Promises To Discuss
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
The MP welcomes the Government's commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence but asks how additional funds would be utilized if economic growth leads to increased revenue.
I warmly welcome the Government's commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence spending, but after we have won the next general election, growth will come to the economy and there will be much more money to be spent on defence? How would my right hon. Friends spend that money in the defence of the realm?
We will ensure that we can do a whole range of things that will help to make this country stronger and more secure. On that, he has my word.
Assessment & feedback
Specific spending commitments for future growth scenarios
Broad Principles
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Jessica Morden Lab
Newport East
Context
The MP acknowledges the release of documents exonerating the Welsh Guards from blame for the Sir Galahad bombing and seeks agreement on the need to thank them.
I thank the Minister for releasing the documents relating to the bombing of the Sir Galahad in 1982, which exonerate the Welsh Guards. I know that the campaign will continue to seek the full truth, but does the Minister agree that instead of being blamed the Welsh Guards are owed our thanks for their service?
I agree with the hon. Lady. No blame is attached in particular to the Welsh Guards. They committed themselves heroically, and I join her in saluting them.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The MP supports the Foreign Secretary's stance on not ending military exports to Israel due to strategic interests.
It is of huge strategic interest to Britain that Israel prevails against Hamas. The Foreign Secretary stated last week that ending military exports to Israel would embolden Hamas and Iran. Does my hon. Friend agree that such a move would harm UK defence interests and disadvantage our armed forces who rely on Israeli-made battlefield equipment?
My hon. Friend is correct in her analysis. We are focused on ensuring that our assets in the region contribute to the release of hostages.
Assessment & feedback
Impact on UK defence interests and armed forces reliance
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The MP questions the policy on defence deals and arms sales to nations where the head of armed forces is under arrest for alleged war crimes.
What is the policy of His Majesty's Government on defence deals and arms sales to countries whose head of armed forces is under arrest warrant for alleged war crimes?
We support the country. We do not support individuals in that Government; we support the country itself, and our licensing regime is entirely independent of this matter.
Assessment & feedback
Specific policy details on arms sales to nations with accused military leaders
Broad Principles
Response accuracy
Q15 Direct Answer
Suella Braverman Con
Fareham and Waterlooville
Context
The MP highlights the importance of full carrier strike group capability and questions how further defence spending will bring online a full complement of F-35 jets.
In Fareham, we are proud of our world-class aircraft carriers docked in Portsmouth. However, neither Queen Elizabeth nor Prince of Wales has as many jets or small warships as originally planned. Will the Minister tell me how further defence spending will be used to bring online the full complement of F-35 jets so that our carrier strike group has full capability?
We have confirmed 48 aircraft by 2025 and a further 27 by 2033. We work with allies to ensure NATO operations and maintenance capabilities are in place, as seen recently with the rapid activation of second carriers.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
The MP criticizes the Government for failing to deliver on their promise to end veterans' homelessness, noting an increase of 14%.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs promised last year to end veterans homelessness by the end of that year. Instead, homelessness rose by 14%. Are Ministers proud that their Government are failing to deliver on their promise to their veterans?
One person homeless is one person too many. We will continue supporting veterans, charities and initiatives for housing in naval base port areas and garrison towns.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to reduce veteran homelessness
Broad Principles
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
The motor sports industry in the UK is worth £10 billion annually, but its governing body, Motorsport UK, has faced diminishing access to military venues despite signing the armed forces covenant.
Britain's world-leading motor sports industry is worth at least £10 billion annually to the UK economy. The sport's governing body, Motorsport UK, has proudly sponsored access to military venues for many years, but despite recently signing the armed forces covenant, that access appears to be diminishing. Will the Minister please agree to meet me, and perhaps the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, to discuss better third-party revenue-generating opportunities for the MOD estate?
I would of course be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. On the subject of motorsport, I stress to him and the House that the MOD has a brilliant partnership with McLaren, jointly innovating to look at, for example, technology relating to electronic vehicles. I am more than happy to meet him and look into the matter further.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask of meeting to discuss third-party revenue-generating opportunities was not directly addressed; instead, a general offer to meet was provided with no commitment on the topic raised.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Sarah Dyke Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Context
A constituent renting from the Ministry of Defence has been given notice to quit within two months without any reason provided, despite never missing rent payments.
A constituent of mine who rents his home from the Ministry of Defence has recently been given notice to quit within two months, without any reason. He has never missed any rent payments and he has been unable to contact his landlord with a query on the instruction. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the situation?
I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss that; I have seen several cases of people having to leave their service accommodation. In general, the DIO and the Ministry of Defence will ensure that people have more than the minimum allowed by legislation, and we bend over backwards to ensure that people leaving service accommodation have somewhere to go to.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a meeting on the constituent's housing issue was not directly addressed; instead, a general offer to meet was provided with no commitment on resolving the current situation or providing specifics about the tenant's case.
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Context
The UK defence industry is actively supporting Ukraine with equipment, and there is a need to increase the amount of ammunition being supplied.
My hon. Friend will appreciate the huge importance of what the UK defence industry is doing to help Ukraine get the equipment it needs. Can he update the House on what his Department is doing to increase the amount of ammunition getting to the front line in Ukraine?
My hon. Friend, who has Defence Equipment & Support in his constituency, has been a consistent champion of supporting Ukraine and he comes to every questions session to make that point. We are working hard to get more munitions in there; I mentioned 400,000 artillery shells, but I could list an enormous amount of ordnance. I can tell him and the House that we are not just doing everything possible ourselves, but cohering our allies and learning the lessons for our own armed forces. We have to be in this for the long haul, and the fight for Ukraine's freedom is the right one.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy