Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 15 November 2021 · 18 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Peter Grant asked about recent data breaches related to the MOD's Afghanistan relocations and assistance policy, and the Minister stated that an internal investigation has concluded and findings were laid before the House.
  • Peter Grant inquired about measures to address ongoing problems with the MOD's equipment programme, including funding and management practices, and the Minister confirmed that a funded equipment programme is forthcoming with decisions made to ensure affordability.
  • Mark Francois raised concerns about the MOD procurement system, and the Minister acknowledged the frustration and discussed potential simple changes to improve accountability and management practices.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Grant SNP
Defence Standards & Ethics
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.

Question

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).

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Grant SNP
Defence
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The timeline for frontline equipment delivery was not addressed

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Q3 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence
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.

Question

Hello again, can we please do something about fixing the broken MOD procurement system?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific changes were not detailed

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Q4 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Formal inquiry commitment was avoided

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Q5 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Defence Economy
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.

Question

Will the Minister provide clarity on the future of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, which plays a key role in both defence and local economy?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline not provided

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Q6 Patrick Grady SNP
Defence Climate
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.

Question

Will the Government work to ensure that military missions are included in next year's COP27 climate change negotiations?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

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.

How: Cannot Comment

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Q7 Simon Jupp
Defence
Context

The Royal Marines commando training centre in Lympstone, East Devon opened a new £10 million facility for rehabilitating injured recruits.

Question

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?

Answer from Leo Docherty

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 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Wales Veterans
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Leo Docherty

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify additional steps beyond ensuring equivalency of qualifications.

How: Doing What We Can

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Q9 Chris Clarkson
Veterans
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Leo Docherty

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a meeting with Veterans into Logistics.

How: Delighted, Pleased

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Q10 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
NHS Social Care Defence
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to supporting the Acquired Brain Injury Bill.

How: Delighted, Looking At His Bill

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Q11 Cherilyn Mackrory
Defence
Context

The port of Falmouth has a long association with the Royal Navy, regularly hosting vessels including HMS Tamar.

Question

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?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

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.

Answered
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Q12 Jess Phillips Lab Birmingham Yardley
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

How: Cannot Give A Running Commentary

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Q13 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Defence
Context

The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the carrier strike group have visited numerous countries, strengthening relationships and reassuring allies.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Answered
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Q14 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Veterans
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Leo Docherty

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to maintaining funding during the spending review period, only restated existing support framework.

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Q15 David Duguid Con
Defence Economy Scotland
Context

The AUKUS partnership was recently announced, aimed at enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Question

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?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

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.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q16 Kevan Jones Lab
Defence
Context

A previous defence procurement minister had not committed to building future solid support ships in the UK.

Question

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?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify a percentage or commit to exact figures.

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Q17 Sarah Atherton
Defence Mental Health
Context

Hightown barracks was previously destined for demolition but now houses several military units and support functions.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q18 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Veterans
Context

Thousands of disabled war veterans are facing long delays in receiving compensation.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I will write to the hon. Lady with the details.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide the specific figures requested and instead offered to write back with them later.

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