Topical Questions 2022-01-10
2022-01-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the armed forces' contributions during the pandemic.
May I associate myself with the tributes to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington? Time and again during this pandemic our armed forces have stepped up, whether by building hospitals like the new Nightingale in central Manchester, delivering vital supplies or getting jabs into arms, and they are now doing it again by supporting our world-leading booster programme. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that we should thank them for their amazing service and encourage everybody to get that booster?
My hon. Friend points out the other job that Defence does, which is building this country's resilience wherever one may be in the United Kingdom. It is always important to remember that our armed forces have a day job—a main job—of defending our country. When we are out of this national crisis and pandemic, it will be important to look at making sure that other people step up to cover. In the long term Defence personnel are always there, whether for floods, pandemic or other threats, and they will continue to be so.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement on thanking armed forces not explicitly stated
Changed Subject To Long-Term Defence Role
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over Ukraine tensions and need for UK-NATO coordination.
Today's US-Russia talks in Geneva start a critical week of dialogue over Ukraine. I assure the Secretary of State that we fully support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a defensive alliance, it is clear that it is not NATO's but Russia's actions that are dangerously escalating the current tensions. What leading role is the UK playing to ensure that any agreement on the talks is fully co-ordinated with NATO and with European allies?
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his support. I will continue to work with him, and the Leader of the Opposition, to ensure that he is kept informed as much as we can on the situation. That goes for the Scottish National party as well.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific UK role not detailed
Promised To Keep Informed
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion on the Future Soldier programme in Wales.
The Future Soldier programme has delivered significant investment for Wales, not least the extremely welcome decision to keep Brecon barracks open. May I invite the Secretary of State to come to Brecon and visit the home of the Army in Wales so that he can see the operational significance of the barracks?
I think my right hon. Friend will do so. I have been to Brecon previously with my hon. Friend, who has campaigned relentlessly to retain the barracks, and I was delighted to confirm that that would be the case. It is the right decision for the Army, for Wales and indeed for Brecon.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion on the Armed Forces Act and current trends in female recruitment.
The Minister made a welcome concession at the end of the debate on the Armed Forces Act 2021 to publish data about investigations and prosecutions. What will the Government do if the conviction rate for one or more of these serious crimes is concerningly low? Will they reconsider their approach? What impact does the Act have on meeting the target of 30% of Army recruits being female by 2030, particularly given that current trends mean it will not be met until 2063?
The steps we have taken on judicial oversight, the Judge Henriques review of the service justice system and implementing the Lyons and Murphy reviews mean that we are confident that the changes we have made to the service justice system mean that cases will be better investigated, there will be a better quality of law and that justice is delivered. We are also continuing the work we are doing under Air Chief Marshal Wigston's review to make sure it is a better environment for women to serve in.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions detailed if conviction rates low, no impact on recruitment target mentioned
Promised Ongoing Work
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over readiness to deal with simultaneous flashpoints.
We clearly face heightened risk and instability on multiple fronts. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on our readiness to deal with multiple potential flashpoints in different arenas simultaneously?
My hon. Friend is right. In anticipation of those training situations, the Defence Command Paper in March and “The Integrated Operating Concept 2025”, which preceded it, put in place measures to ensure that our Army is more ready, more forward and more deployable than it has ever been before, because speed and readiness are the one of the best ways to deter our adversaries.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific update not provided
Referenced Existing Measures
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion on veterans' representation and welfare.
I am proud to have Erskine veterans home in my constituency. I am also proud of the Scottish Government's veterans fund and their appointment of a Veterans Commissioner. Does the Minister not feel that that should be replicated elsewhere on these isles to ensure that the veterans community are properly represented in decisions taken affecting their welfare?
I am pleased to confirm that all the other nations of the United Kingdom do indeed have veterans commissioners.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion on strengthening UK-Japan defence relations.
Strengthening our defence relationships in the Indo-Pacific will be essential to help maintain peace and stability in the region. In that regard, what are we doing to strengthen our defence relationship with Japan?
As my hon. Friend might be aware, we recently announced a closer working relationship with Japan on elements of the future combat air system programme. That followed on from talks that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I had last September in Tokyo. The Japanese Government and we see a lot of benefit in working together on defence equipment programmes.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions not detailed
Referenced Recent Announcement
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion on a targeted RAF drone killing in Syria.
We now know that on 25 October, the RAF carried out a targeted drone killing in Syria. Is that not a major shift in policy? Why was Parliament not informed? When will the Secretary of State set out the legal basis and criteria for that strike?
Periodically we come to this House—either myself or the Foreign Secretary—to update the House overall on Op Shader, and we periodically inform the House of all strikes we make. If it has not happened yet, it will happen very soon through the Cabinet Office.
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Assessment & feedback
No explanation given for legality or notification procedure
Promised Future Update
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
The Department is investing in emerging technologies across various regions as part of the defence supply chain.
The Department is investing in emerging technologies around the country as part of the defence supply chain. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the next generation of armed forces personnel, including those at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, are trained to take advantage of them?
We have more than 1,000 STEM representatives and ensure that about 90% of all non-commissioned roles have the opportunity to take apprenticeships in new areas of skills, including STEM skills. This includes the outstanding Harrogate College where part of the syllabus includes space, autonomy and cyber.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The rise of terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa poses a strategic threat to the United Kingdom.
The rise of terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa is continuing and poses a strategic threat to the United Kingdom. In that context—given that the US is probably downgrading its presence there, and only France is totally committed—what actions will the UK take to bring our allies together on this issue?
I am not sure I will accept that characterisation of the US position. Secretary Blinken's speech in Abuja was very encouraging. The UK is committed against violent extremism and how competitors and adversaries are using countries to develop their influence. We see this as a bad thing and we are seeking to counter it.
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Assessment & feedback
The characterisation of the US position and specific actions with allies was not directly addressed
Characterisation Of The Us Position
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The RAF is considering closing RAF Halton, which could leave Hertfordshire's largest town without military presence.
If the closure of RAF Halton gets the go ahead—frankly, I do not think it should—the largest town in Hertfordshire will have no military capability on its boundaries. Is there any way we can have a reserve capability at RAF Halton for the Army and the RAF?
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. I have asked to look again at that and some of the rebasing options.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to retaining reserve capability was not provided
Rebasing Options
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The Navy's special purpose vehicle will be procured from a Dutch company, Damen, instead of a UK-based firm.
I thank the Minister for Defence Procurement for his letter on the Navy's special purpose vehicle and the changes he has made to the procurement process, but that will not get us away from the fact that the money has to be spent by March, which means that the vessel will be built or procured from a Dutch company, Damen. Why is he not backing British industry?
The right hon. Gentleman has already decided how our competition will end, which is unwise. We have multiple potential providers and we are going through a buying process.
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Assessment & feedback
Reasons for not backing British industry were not provided
Unwise Decision
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister is transparent about the challenges of the Ajax contract, differing from previous practices.
May I commend my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement for the care that he is taking in dealing with the challenges of the Ajax contract, and for the transparency with which he is keeping the House up to date with the problems? Does he agree that the production contract, which was entered into in 2014, was characterised by transferring risk to the contractor?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Had this been like the Nimrod situation, where £3.7 billion was wasted by the previous Government and they attempted to blame it on us, that would have been where we are.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement with Labour's approach not provided
Comparison With Nimrod Situation
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Redford barracks in the constituency of Joanna Cherry has had another stay of execution until 2025.
Redford barracks in my constituency has had another stay of execution to 2025. As the UK Government seem unmoved by arguments for retaining the defence estate in Scotland, will the Minister consider transferring the land at Redford to the City of Edinburgh Council so as to offset some of the economic impact of the closure of the barracks?
The hon. and learned Lady fails to recognise that we have already moved the 51st Brigade headquarters to Redford, so large parts of the barracks will be retained. Also, Glencorse barracks, which was due to be reduced, will be retained and increased on that site.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific transfer of land not addressed
Retained Headquarters
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Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
The armed forces have a history of stepping up during civilian emergencies.
From foot and mouth disease to floods and the pandemic, our armed forces have always stepped up in civilian emergencies, but the lesson has always been that this needs to be done as early as possible. Given recent experiences with Storm Arwen, does my hon. Friend agree that measures need to be put in place across all levels of Government so that the armed forces can be deployed in civilian emergencies locally, strategically and quickly?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We do have those mechanisms already, with liaison officers in every local resilience forum.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Jack Dromey, a fellow trade unionist and dear friend, was fighting for the rights of Afghan refugees who are currently in hotels.
As a fellow trade unionist, Jack Dromey was a dear friend. His final fight in this place was for Afghan refugees, 13,000 of whom are languishing in hotels—not exactly a warm welcome. Can the Defence Secretary say exactly how he is deploying the defence estate and Annington Homes to ensure that we home these refugees?
The hon. Member makes a very important point. I ask all Members of this House to reach out to their local authorities, because a lot of local authorities' words have not been matched by action. I have made available nearly 500 married quarters to those individuals.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific deployment plan for defence estate was not detailed
Local Authority Actions
Response accuracy