Topical Questions 2021-11-15
2021-11-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP noted data breaches related to the Ministry of Defence's Afghanistan relocations and assistance policy, or ARAP. He mentioned an internal investigation has concluded but raised concerns about its findings.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding the recent data breaches in relation to MOD's Afghanistan relocations and assistance policy (ARAP).
In September, I notified the House of data breaches relating to the MOD's Afghanistan relocations and assistance policy (ARAP). An internal investigation has now concluded, and I have laid a written ministerial statement of its findings before the House. While the breaches were attributed to human error, they should have been prevented by better operating procedures and training.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP cited reports from the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee highlighting weaknesses in MOD's equipment programme. He mentioned delays in critically important frontline equipment due to these issues.
What measures will be taken to address the ongoing problems with the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) equipment programme, including funding mechanisms and management practices?
We will publish our equipment programme soon. It is not unfunded; we have made tough decisions to ensure affordability, and the Prime Minister has given us a record capital departmental expenditure limit settlement for our equipment programme.
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Assessment & feedback
The timeline for frontline equipment delivery was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed frustration with the MOD's procurement programme, citing it as one of the worst in recent memory. He requested a meeting to discuss potential improvements.
Hello again, can we please do something about fixing the broken MOD procurement system?
I understand my right hon. Friend's frustration; I am equally frustrated. We need a lot of things to go right, but we will discuss some simple changes that could make a big difference in ensuring dedicated senior responsible officers and holding them more accountable.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific changes were not detailed
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed disappointment about the written ministerial statement on ARAP data breach, requesting an oral update. He also inquired about investigating allegations of murder by a British soldier.
Why has there not been an MOD inquiry launched regarding serious allegations that the killing was an open secret in the regiment and senior officers suppressed information?
While I have not opened a formal investigation, I have asked the Army to get to the bottom of what happened with the original allegations and where we got with that. At the same time, I am respecting the judicial process.
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Assessment & feedback
Formal inquiry commitment was avoided
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP mentioned the important role played by RAF Linton-on-Ouse in defence and local economy. He expressed concern over unclear future plans for its disposal.
Will the Minister provide clarity on the future of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, which plays a key role in both defence and local economy?
I assure my hon. Friend that there is no longer a military requirement for RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and the timing of the site's disposal is under active consideration. I will write to him as soon as an announcement is made.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline not provided
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP cited an estimate that the world's militaries contribute to 6% of global carbon emissions. He asked about including military missions in COP27 negotiations.
Will the Government work to ensure that military missions are included in next year's COP27 climate change negotiations?
I cannot comment on that, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that the MOD looks seriously at that area and is regarded as a leader in NATO for our work on reducing emissions in military operations.
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Assessment & feedback
Cannot Comment
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The Royal Marines commando training centre in Lympstone, East Devon opened a new £10 million facility for rehabilitating injured recruits.
Last week, the Royal Marines commando training centre in Lympstone in East Devon officially opened a new £10 million state-of-the-art building to rehabilitate recruits who have been injured during training. Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating the Royal Marines, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and contractors on creating this superb facility for our brave armed forces?
I certainly do congratulate the Royal Marines on this magnificent new facility. I am delighted that this 181-bed block for the rehabilitation of trainees was completed on budget and ahead of schedule.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The British Training Board opened a national armed forces training hub in Swansea, supported by various organisations to provide career development and university qualifications for veterans.
This June, in Swansea, the British Training Board opened the national armed forces training hub, supported by the Welsh Government, the local authority and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, which provides a full career development programme to veterans, with university qualifications. Does the Minister agree that, thanks to organisations such as the BTB, the majority of service personnel go on to fantastic careers in civilian life? What more can be done to provide our personnel during their military training with the complete range of universally recognised life skills that they need?
We are doing what we can to ensure that when someone gets a military qualification, it has civilian equivalents. This is important because military service gives people skills for life.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify additional steps beyond ensuring equivalency of qualifications.
Doing What We Can
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Veterans into Logistics, a Heywood-based charity, has been successful in ensuring service leavers have the necessary skills and qualifications for excellent paying jobs.
Heywood-based charity Veterans into Logistics has had great success in ensuring that service leavers have the necessary skills and qualifications to take advantage of excellent paying jobs in the local economy. Does my hon. Friend agree that service leavers have a unique skillset that will be essential to ensuring our continued recovery from covid, and will he agree to meet Veterans into Logistics to see how the work it has done could be applied to other service leavers around the country?
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend and Veterans into Logistics. He is right: military service does give people skills for life, and I was very pleased recently to announce an increase in the number of HGV licence places for service leavers.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to a meeting with Veterans into Logistics.
Delighted
Pleased
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Service personnel often suffer from brain injuries during active service, requiring coordination between multiple government departments to manage their transition out of the services.
The Secretary of State knows that lots of armed forces personnel have suffered brain injuries while they have been on active service. The temptation is always to try to deal with that solely within the Ministry of Defence, but when they leave the services they often have to rely on the Department of Health and Social Care, local government and many other Departments of Government, so is it not time that we had a whole-Government strategy for dealing with acquired brain injury? The good news for the Secretary of State—I am sure he will be answering now I have said that—is that he will be able to join the campaign for a whole-Government approach to acquired brain injury by supporting my Acquired Brain Injury Bill on 3 December.
I would be absolutely delighted not only to talk to the hon. Member about this, but to look at his Bill. He is right: obviously some of these brain injuries are with people for life. We should therefore make sure that they are managed when they leave service and are dealt with outside.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to supporting the Acquired Brain Injury Bill.
Delighted
Looking At His Bill
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
The port of Falmouth has a long association with the Royal Navy, regularly hosting vessels including HMS Tamar.
The port of Falmouth has a history of long association with the Royal Navy and is regularly home to Royal Navy vessels, including the greenest vessel, HMS Tamar. As such, this relationship provides a significant contribution to the Cornish marine sector and the local economy in Falmouth. Can my hon. Friend assure me that Falmouth will benefit from this Government's record investment in our defence programme?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. A&P Falmouth's in-service support contract, awarded in 2018, is worth some £239 million over 10 years. Given our strong investment in the Royal Navy, to which she referred, I have no doubt there will be future opportunities.
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
An answer from the Department last week stated that sexual exploitation is not recorded as an offence, prompting a question about contact with Home Office regarding Agnes Wanjiru's murder.
Can the Secretary of State tell me, first, what contact he has had with the Home Office regarding the murder of Agnes Wanjiru to ensure that at least there has been effective monitoring of a man accused of murdering a woman? An answer from his Department last week stated: “At present, the sexual exploitation of any person is not recorded as an offence in its own right”. Can he explain why not, and can he tell the House when it will be an offence for a British soldier to partake in the sexual exploitation of prostituted adults?
I cannot give this House a running commentary on any investigation for fear of jeopardising that investigation. What I can say to her is that not only have I said that our support is available, but I have even, on a similar type of investigation, told the provost marshal that if there were any barriers I would seek to remove them.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide details about contact with Home Office regarding Agnes Wanjiru's murder or clarify why sexual exploitation is not recorded as an offence.
Cannot Give A Running Commentary
Response accuracy
Q13
Direct Answer
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Context
The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the carrier strike group have visited numerous countries, strengthening relationships and reassuring allies.
While an aircraft carrier is the ultimate expression of hard power, does the Secretary of State agree with me that the soft power expressed by HMS Queen Elizabeth and the carrier strike group, through strengthening relationships and reassuring old friends and new friends alike, shows global Britain in action?
The carrier strike group has not only visited and worked with over 44 nations on its tour, but has had visits from 63 Ministers. It is great convenor and a great presence that, made in Britain, definitely does go around the world showing that Britain can do both soft and hard power, and do it with quality.
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP previously worked at the Career Transition Partnership in Scotland and witnessed the importance of support services for service personnel transitioning to civilian life.
Prior to entering Parliament I worked for the Career Transition Partnership at its Scottish resettlement centre and saw the vital work done in assisting service personnel prepare for civilian life through training, needs assessment and care support. Will the Minister commit to ensuring that funding for such resettlement programmes does not fall in the period covered by the spending review?
We provide support for resettlement for two prior to the end of people's service and for two years after. That is a very important component of our offer to service people.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to maintaining funding during the spending review period, only restated existing support framework.
Response accuracy
Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
The AUKUS partnership was recently announced, aimed at enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the new AUKUS partnership will not only help keep our people safe by preserving security and stability in the Indo-Pacific but will also help deliver this Government's ambitions to level-up across the whole United Kingdom, including through the creation of hundreds of jobs in Scotland?
I very much hope so. We spend over £20 billion a year on UK defence and over 10% of that goes to Scotland. We have increased the number of direct Scottish defence jobs by a fifth over the last three years, and that goes right the way across Scotland including Score Marine in my hon. Friend's constituency. Other opportunities will arise over the next few years and AUKUS is a great basis for the future, not only for defence but for our joint security and for prosperity.
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Assessment & feedback
null
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
A previous defence procurement minister had not committed to building future solid support ships in the UK.
At his last outing before the Defence Committee, the Minister for Defence Procurement would not give a commitment that the future solid support ships would be built in Britain; he just said that the integration would take place here. Can he say today what percentage of the content of those vessels will be UK-sourced to protect not just jobs but technology in the UK?
As I recall, I said we expected a substantial amount of that build to be in the UK, and as the right hon. Gentleman well knows I cannot go much further on an ongoing procurement process.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify a percentage or commit to exact figures.
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
Hightown barracks was previously destined for demolition but now houses several military units and support functions.
Hightown barracks in Wrexham is the spiritual home of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Ten years ago it was destined to be a housing estate but now it contains the Defence Mental Health Clinic, a reserve field detachment, cadets, a preparation college, support for transport and an inspiring anti-tank company. So will the Secretary of State agree to visit the barracks with me and thank Colonel Nick Lock and his team?
Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is the hon. Lady's birthday, and I am not sure if she would think it a birthday present or not but I will be delighted to visit it with her.
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Assessment & feedback
null
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Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Thousands of disabled war veterans are facing long delays in receiving compensation.
Thousands of disabled war veterans are being denied the compensation and support they need and are entitled to, so will the Secretary of State say how many people are waiting over a year for a tribunal decision on a war pension or an armed forces compensation scheme appeal, and if he does not know the details, will he write to me?
I will write to the hon. Lady with the details.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide the specific figures requested and instead offered to write back with them later.
Response accuracy