Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Military Training: Overseas Armed Forces

Monday 1 February 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • In this period, about 2,000 personnel from more than 100 countries have received some form of defence training in the United Kingdom.
  • The hon Gentleman will know from the many parliamentary questions that have been asked on this that much of the information relating to licensing is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
  • Our defence relationship with Saudi Arabia on training includes courses, advice and guidance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Nicolson SNP
Defence
Context

There is a query regarding the extent of defence training provided to international forces within the UK.

Question

Which overseas armed forces have received military training in the UK since 1 January 2020?

Answer from James Heappey

In this period, about 2,000 personnel, from more than 100 countries, have received some form of defence training in the United Kingdom.

Answered
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Q2 John Nicolson SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question is prompted by the Biden Administration halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia due to concerns over civilian casualties in Yemen. A freedom of information request revealed that the UK provided training for Saudi military personnel.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that the Government expose the widely documented crimes committed by Saudi personnel with US counterparts as they undertake this review? Will he take a leaf out of the American book and reassess whether we should be enabling the Saudi regime, given the awful crimes it has committed?

Answer from James Heappey

The hon. Gentleman will know from the many parliamentary questions that have been asked on this that much of the information relating to licensing is subject to ongoing legal proceedings, but our defence relationship with Saudi Arabia on training includes courses, advice and guidance. This supports the efforts of Saudi Arabia to protect national and regional security, as well as its military's compliance with international humanitarian law. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led coalition and we played no role in setting Saudi-led coalition policy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a review and reassessment of enabling the Saudi regime, but the answer did not directly address this specific ask. It focused on ongoing legal proceedings and provided general information about the defence relationship.

How: Ongoing Legal Proceedings, Defence Relationship

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