Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces

Wednesday 9 December 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister of Defence meets regularly with the Ministry of Defence to address concerns specific to Scotland.
  • The UK's 24 billion investment in armed forces will benefit Scotland economically and in terms of security.
  • Military planning team approved to assist Scottish Government in vaccine roll-out across Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marco Longhi
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP is concerned about the support provided to armed forces personnel stationed in Scotland.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support UK armed forces in Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

My Department meets regularly with the Ministry of Defence to help raise concerns that are specific to Scotland. British armed forces personnel in Scotland play a crucial role in defending the whole of the United Kingdom, keeping us safe both at home and abroad, and assisting with such dedication at the height of this covid-19 pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions being taken to support UK armed forces in Scotland were not detailed.

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Q2 Marco Longhi
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP references the Prime Minister's announcement of a £24 billion investment in armed forces, highlighting its economic and security benefits for Scotland within the United Kingdom.

Question

I welcome the landmark £24 billion investment in our UK armed forces, as announced by the Prime Minister just last month, bringing economic and security benefits to all four nations of our great United Kingdom. Does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State agree, therefore, that this demonstrates the true value of the Union to Scotland, bringing jobs to Scotland, enhancing the security of the nation, and delivering on the Prime Minister's levelling-up agenda across the country?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Scotland has always played a crucial role in the UK's defence, and the projects that are supported by this spending, including shipbuilding on the Clyde, will directly benefit the people of Scotland, bringing security and economic benefits. This level of spending and investment is only possible through Scotland's place in the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific commitments or figures about how the money will be spent in Scotland.

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Q3 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP inquires about the support given by the British Army to the Scottish Government for coronavirus vaccine deployment.

Question

I very much welcome the Secretary of State's response, but can he set out what support the British Army is providing to the Scottish Government to ensure the efficient delivery of the coronavirus vaccine in my constituency in the borders, but also across Scotland more widely?

Answer from Alister Jack

The Scottish Government requested a military planning team to assist with the planning for the roll-out of the vaccine in the borders and across Scotland, and I am very pleased that I was able to approve that request. The scale of the task is very considerable, but the logistics expertise with the British armed forces is making a huge difference.

Answered
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Q4 Douglas Ross Con
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP acknowledges the efforts made by soldiers from Kinloss barracks during the pandemic, including distributing essential equipment and conducting tests.

Question

The Secretary of State will be aware of the work that soldiers from Kinloss barracks in Moray have done throughout this pandemic in our fight against covid-19: they have been in Liverpool since last month, and earlier this week started assisting Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council in its community testing programme. This is in addition to the work they did throughout the highlands in the summer, covering 80,000 miles and conducting well over 3,000 tests. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating everyone at Kinloss on the effort they have put in during this pandemic, and agree that it underlines yet again the outstanding work they do in Scotland and across the United Kingdom?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in thanking everyone at Kinloss barracks. At the start of the pandemic our British armed forces distributed essential equipment and personal protective equipment. They helped build hospitals across Scotland and were instrumental in getting vital equipment to the Glasgow lighthouse lab. They operated the mobile testing centres, and, currently, as I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont), there are 21 military planners working with Scottish health boards and the Scottish Government on logistical planning for vaccine deployment. Our offer remains open: if the Scottish Government require further assistance from our amazing armed forces, they are standing by and are ready to help.

Answered
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