Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 7 December 2020 · 17 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Jones thanked the Minister for his statement and inquired about the recent funding announcement for the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
  • John Healey expressed concern about the Help to Buy scheme for armed forces personnel, which appears to be assisting fewer families than intended.
  • Richard Holden inquired about the resumption of parents' physical attendance at passing-out parades for young recruits, highlighting the importance of these events for families.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Defence
Context

The recent funding announcement has raised concerns about the impact on the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. May I ask him about the recent funding announcement for his Department and what that means for the Army Foundation College and the junior soldiers who attend it? The college is, of course, located in Harrogate and has Captain Sir Tom Moore as its honorary colonel.

Answer from Ben Wallace

My hon. Friend has rightly championed the Army Foundation College, which was assessed as outstanding during its most recent Ofsted inspection. The college is just one part of the training and education that make our armed forces admired across the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of funding on the college was not addressed.

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Q2 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence Veterans
Context

Concerns about the reduction in beneficiaries of the Help to Buy scheme for forces families.

Question

I reinforce that tribute to our armed forces, who will be serving throughout the Christmas and new year period. I welcome the report that the Secretary of State says he has had placed in the Library this afternoon, and his apology. ... Why is the forces Help to Buy scheme now helping fewer forces families than when it was launched six years ago? What action is he taking to fix the failings of this scheme?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I would be troubled if fewer were being helped by it. That is not our intention and, indeed, one of the early things I did when I took this office was to extend the Help to Buy scheme, because it is a thoroughly worthwhile scheme. I will be delighted to look into the matter and present to the right hon. Gentleman why the numbers have dropped and what we can do to increase them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons for the drop in beneficiaries were not addressed.

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Q3 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
Defence
Context

The defence review highlighted a £30 billion funding shortfall and recruitment shortfalls of 12,000 troops.

Question

The 2015 defence review highlighted all the things that can go wrong when a Government fudge funding figures. This mistake opened up a £30 billion black hole in the defence budget. It also led to a monumental failure to secure the recruitment of troops that the UK needs, leaving us 12,000 short of strength. Will the Secretary of State tell the House what lessons the Government have learnt from the past review?

Answer from Ben Wallace

If the hon. Member has been an avid attender of Defence questions, she will have heard me say on a number of occasions that the lessons of the past for both Governments—including Labour Governments; I refer her to the National Audit Office report of 2010—are that we should not over-promise, be over-ambitious or underfund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions for addressing current funding issues were not detailed.

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Q4 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Defence
Context

The agreement could impact both the UK and Israel's defence capabilities.

Question

Thank you, ground control. I understand that my right hon. Friend has, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, agreed a new co-operation agreement with the Israeli defence force. Could he update the House on the impact of that agreement?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I will write to my hon. Friend. Obviously, defence co-operation with a range of countries benefits our mutual interests.

Not addressed: The specific details about the agreement's impacts and benefits were deferred to writing.

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Q5 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Defence
Context

The local area has requested military assistance due to high rates of COVID-19 infection.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for agreeing last week to provide four military planners for Hull and the Humber after the three Hull MPs asked for help due to the very high rates of covid-19 infection. If Hull needs more logistical help in the form of boots on the ground to get lateral flow tests out and help with mass vaccinations, will military help be forthcoming?

Answer from James Heappey

As the hon. Lady says, the MACA request for Hull was approved on 1 December, and four military planners have been provided to support the Humber local resilience forum until the end of January with specific areas of covid-related planning.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The availability of further assistance beyond January was not confirmed.

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Q6 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Defence
Context

Young people from Basildon and Billericay are currently training in the military. Parents of trainees have not been able to attend passing-out parades due to restrictions.

Question

The tradition of military service runs deep in County Durham, with young people from my constituency currently going through their training. Their parents are rightly proud of them and their achievements. When will parents' physical attendance at passing-out parades be able to resume? May I also reiterate my previous invitation for a departmental Minister to come to visit suppliers in my county and constituency as soon as possible?

Answer from James Heappey

I know that the Minister for Defence Procurement, my hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Jeremy Quin), is itching to visit the company in my hon. Friend's constituency. As for attendance at pass-out parades, I know how much my own family enjoyed my pass-out parade at Sandhurst. These are big, big moments in the lives of soldiers and the families who support them. We have to work within the Government's guidelines, but as soon as we can get parades open to family and friends again, we will do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The visit to suppliers was not addressed

How: We Have To Work Within The Government'S Guidelines

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Q7 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

The Government have promised a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane but have yet to deliver on this promise. This raises concerns about possible cover-up or reluctance to face past practices involving collusion with paramilitaries.

Question

We are hearing about some of the great work that our armed forces are doing to respond to the pandemic; why do the Government allow a shadow to hang over them by reneging on the promise of a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, through which we could all be reassured that they have addressed the practices that led to collusion with paramilitaries? How do I answer my constituents who ask me whether the Government have something else to hide?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The decision to grant a public inquiry in the case of Pat Finucane is a decision for the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; as Secretary of State for Defence, I have no role in it. However, I am a former Northern Ireland Minister and a former member of the armed forces who served there. The hon. Lady will know that there have been numerous inquiries and inquests into a range of killings by both the state and terrorists. We take every case very seriously and examine the evidence before us, but we are also keen to make sure that we uphold the spirit of the Good Friday agreement, which is to help to draw a line under the troubles to allow the men and women of Northern Ireland move forward in peace. That does mean dealing with the legacy, but it also means making sure that when things have been examined we can all move forward together.

Not addressed: The reason for delay or promise reneging was not addressed

How: We Take Every Case Seriously, Upholding The Spirit Of The Good Friday Agreement

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Q8 Jonathan Gullis
NHS Defence
Context

The number of COVID-19 cases remains high, and local hospitals like Royal Stoke University Hospital have struggled with staffing issues during the pandemic.

Question

Sadly, the number of covid-19 cases in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke keeps us as one of the top hotspots nationally, and our local hospital, the Royal Stoke University Hospital, has had to take its critical care to level 4 in past weeks and has seen staffing numbers down by 60%. Is my hon. Friend able to help us by using our brave servicemen and women from the Royal Army Medical Corps to assist our health and care heroes?

Answer from James Heappey

The men and women of the Defence Medical Services have been real heroes throughout the pandemic, working in hospitals throughout the country. Many of them already have jobs in the NHS, which means they are not ours to flex in response to MACA requests. However, other military medics have been used in response to MACA requests from health trusts, and I am sure that if such a request was to come from my hon. Friend's local authority, we would be happy to look at it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on deployment of RMAC is not given

How: Many Already Have Jobs In Nhs

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Q9 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Defence
Context

The Prime Minister has declared an end to the “era of retreat” which may imply a reversal in the reduction of armed forces personnel over the past decade.

Question

The Prime Minister has said that he is ending the “era of retreat”; presumably, that means an end to the retreat in armed forces personnel numbers that we have seen over the past decade—yes?

Answer from Ben Wallace

It means an end to an era in which successive Governments, both Labour and Conservative, over-promised and underfunded. What is absolutely key is that the Prime Minister determines that this Government and this defence policy meet the threat and do not fund into everything else.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on personnel numbers reversal not given

How: Successive Governments Over-Promised And Underfunded

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Q10 Simon Baynes
Defence Wales
Context

Armed forces personnel have been playing a significant role in the national effort against the coronavirus crisis, including supporting health services and testing.

Question

Will my hon. Friend comment on and commend the contribution made by armed forces personnel in Clwyd South and across Wales to the national effort during the coronavirus crisis?

Answer from James Heappey

Defence personnel have assisted across Wales during the pandemic, including in Wrexham and Clwyd South, by supporting the Welsh ambulance service, the planning and staffing of Nightingale hospitals and mobile testing. Currently, defence is supporting whole-town testing a little further south in Merthyr Tydfil. I am sure that the whole House will join me in commending the contribution of our armed forces, who have worked tirelessly to tackle covid-19 in Wales and across the United Kingdom.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q11 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Defence
Context

According to recent figures, a significant number of service personnel are actively searching for jobs outside the military. This could be due to issues like low morale or wages.

Question

According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Defence, four in 10 of our service personnel have actively searched for a job outside the service in the past 12 months. What does the Secretary of State think is driving that trend—is it low morale, low wages or poor accommodation? Or is it the fact that the Ministers over the past decade have not been on top of their brief?

Answer from James Heappey

When we look at retention in the armed forces we are never complacent. We take continuous attitude survey responses very seriously indeed. Clearly, there are things we can do to improve the life of our service personnel, but the hon. Gentleman is wrong to suggest that retention is a problem; in fact, retention is improving quickly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on factors and measures not provided

How: We Take Continuous Attitude Survey Responses Very Seriously

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Q12 Ben Everitt
Defence
Context

The threat of cyber-attacks is increasing, and it's crucial that the UK has proper measures in place to defend itself.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to ensure that the UK can properly defend itself from cyber-attacks?

Answer from James Heappey

In line with the national cyber strategy, the Ministry of Defence works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre in support of national objectives to protect and defend critical infrastructure. The MOD has funded programmes to mitigate cyber-risks against our platforms, weapons systems and core digital infrastructure, and we are developing a cyber-aware workforce to embed cyber-security into our business and operations.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q13 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Veterans
Context

Staff of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been given only three weeks' notice to decide where they will work and live in the new year, usually with at least three months' notice and support from the commission.

Question

Commonwealth War Graves Commission staff have been forced to decide by today, with only three weeks' notice, where they will work and live in the new year. That is terrible treatment, as usually they have a minimum of three months, and support from the commission. Will the Secretary of State intervene to ensure that the commission upholds its values by stopping this action, holding a meaningful review of the situation, and allowing unions to negotiate with it?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I thank the hon. Lady for bringing this matter to my attention. I would be delighted to meet her to discuss it, and then we can discuss it with the Department and the commission.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask of intervention or negotiation review

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Q14 Caroline Ansell Con
Defence Mental Health
Context

With an increase in combat roles, there is a need to invest in mental health resilience and training for the UK's military personnel.

Question

With the number of combat role set to increase, does my hon. Friend the Minister agree that now is the time to invest in our people, and most specifically in support for mental health resilience, hardware and cyber, so that our troops are prepared in every sense of the word to do the important work that they need to do?

Answer from Johnny Mercer

Over the past two years, we have made a real effort to completely redesign the mental health care provision for our armed forces personnel, both during their time in service and when they leave. I am delighted to confirm for the first time that this country's armed forces will receive mandatory mental health training every year from 1 April next year.

Answered
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Q15 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Defence Brexit
Context

Customs controls at borders may create delays in the defence procurement chain, risking disruption in UK's defence supply chain.

Question

Analysis by army-technology.com on 23 November has highlighted a risk of disruption: new customs controls at borders may create delays in the defence procurement chain. Given that the UK Government are pursuing an increasingly reckless strategy in Brexit negotiations, will the Secretary of State clarify what measures are being taken to ensure no disruption in the defence supply chain?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The hon. Lady is making a brilliant argument for why we do not want to put borders between countries. Perhaps she could join our campaign to save the Union at the next referendum.

Not addressed: Question about defence supply chain disruption risk

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Q16 Simon Jupp
Ukraine
Context

The UK-Ukraine strategic partnership agreement signed in October aims to support Ukraine's naval capabilities and deliver maritime security in the Black Sea.

Question

What further support do the Government plan to provide, as part of the UK-Ukraine strategic partnership agreement, signed in October, to develop Ukraine's navy and deliver maritime security in the Black sea?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Ukraine is incredibly important to the United Kingdom, not only as an ally, but hopefully as a future member of NATO, and it is important that we help those people defend themselves against Russian aggression. That is why our ships are often on tour and deployed in the Black sea.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific support details

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Q17 Marco Longhi
Defence Business & Trade
Context

Military aerospace is important for constituencies such as Dudley North and across the West Midlands, with significant supply chain involvement.

Question

Military aerospace is incredibly important in my constituency of Dudley North, and across the west midlands. Can the Minister say what he is doing to promote our first-rate exports to our allies?

Answer from Ben Wallace

Only recently, I hosted my colleague, the Defence Minister of Qatar, who came to see the joint Typhoon squadron that we operate in the United Kingdom. That squadron, obviously, uses Typhoon, which is built in Lancashire and has a supply chain that reaches right across the north of England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions promoting military aerospace exports

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