British Army in Wales Post Covid 2021-05-24
2021-05-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Post-covid-19 measures and support provided by the British Army to Welsh communities.
What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the British Army in Wales after the covid-19 outbreak?
The Army has organised and conducted more than 74,000 tests, 11,000 ambulance responses and almost 70,000 covid vaccine inoculations in Wales over the past year. As we build on our close relationship with Welsh society, we remain committed to relocating a major regular Army unit to Wales, and the Ministry of Defence continues to examine the options to locate a second major unit to Wales as well.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or commitments to strengthen the British Army in Wales post-covid-19 were not provided beyond vague commitment language.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Operation Rescript, the Army's response to the covid-19 outbreak in Wales, was established from Brecon barracks. Over 1,200 service personnel have been supporting the NHS in Wales.
Does the Minister agree that this recent activity serves to underline the operational importance of the barracks and further weakens the case to close it in 2027?
Brecon and, indeed, the 160th Welsh Brigade are fortunate to have such an outstanding local representative making their case in Parliament. My hon. Friend is absolutely right to pay tribute to all the amazing work that they have done in supporting the covid response in Wales. I know that, as a result of all her hard work campaigning on this matter, she was delighted to hear confirmation from my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement that the brigade HQ will remain in Brecon.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding operational importance and case weakening was not addressed directly beyond general agreement and a statement about future plans without providing concrete evidence or commitment to retain barracks post-2027.
Response accuracy