Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 28 March 2022 · 22 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 11 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Defence Secretary has had a second negative test today and will return to work by evening.
  • The approach for defence procurement supports British industry while also considering the best available kit from US and NATO allies.
  • The next generation light anti-tank weapons sent to Ukraine have been effective, reliable, accurate and valued by Ukrainian forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Defence
Context

Members inquired about the Defence Secretary's ability to perform his duties due to a recent illness.

Question

Mr Speaker, you are aware that several Members have inquired. The Defence Secretary has had a brief brush with covid but is working virtually and will return physically by evening.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The Defence Secretary has had a second negative test today, confirming he will be back to work by this evening. He remains on course to deliver the objectives of the integrated review despite his illness.

Answered
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Q2 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Defence
Context

The MP questioned the government's commitment to British-built defence equipment.

Question

Given recent events, why won't Ministers commit to 'British-built by default' for defence procurement?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The approach is supporting British industry while also considering the best available kit from US and NATO allies. We are part of an alliance, focusing on British investment and capability through the defence strategy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to 'British-built by default'

How: Supporting British Industry, Considering What Else Is Available

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Q3 Philip Hollobone Con
Ukraine
Context

The MP praised the Minister for sending lethal military aid to Ukraine before Russia's invasion.

Question

What is the initial assessment of the operational effectiveness of next generation light anti-tank weapons sent to Ukraine?

Answer from James Heappey

The weapon systems have been effective, reliable, accurate and valued by Ukrainian forces. The success rate has been prolific.

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Q4 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The MP inquired about the production of British-made anti-tank weapons for Ukraine.

Question

Has production started to replace the British stockpiles of NLAW and Starstreak after pledging 6,000 more missiles?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We are in active conversations with industry regarding the replacement of British stockpiles. Specific operational details will not be disclosed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Operational details on production status

How: Active Conversations With Industry

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Q5 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Defence
Context

The MP highlighted the need for increased defence spending amid global threats.

Question

Does the Minister agree it is time to plan for an increase in defence spending, maybe to 3% of GDP?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The integrated review looks at threats and funds accordingly. We are the biggest European and second largest NATO spender, with a £24 billion uplift.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on spending to 3% of GDP

How: Looking At Threats

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Q6 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Defence
Context

The MP inquired about the need for radar and sonar upgrades at Leuchars airfield.

Question

Can the Minister advise on sonar and radar upgrades for back-up facilities like Leuchars, given current threats?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Still studying radar configurations required. The issue was last addressed in November 2022; committing to update when there is more information.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for upgrades

How: Studying Radar Configurations

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Q7 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP asked about a plan to safely bring Afghan refugees with UK connections from Pakistan.

Question

Will Ministers devise a practical plan to safely bring Afghan refugees with entry visas but hunted by Pakistani police to the UK?

Answer from James Heappey

Engaged in this matter for some time. High commissioner has reached out; working hard to persuade Pakistan Government to take a different approach.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan details or timeline

How: Engaging With The High Commissioner, Persuading Pakistan

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Q8 Zarah Sultana Your Party Coventry South
Immigration Veterans
Context

Joram, a veteran who served in the armed forces and now lives in Coventry South, faces deportation to Zimbabwe despite no connections there.

Question

A constituent named Joram is a veteran with PTSD who has been deported to Zimbabwe where he will face torture. Can you intervene?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I would be very pleased to review the details of the case and correspond directly with the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment without specifics on how or when the deportation will stop

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Q9 Mark Eastwood
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

Northern Ireland veterans face potential vexatious legal claims.

Question

Will the Minister agree to urgently bring forward legislation to protect Northern Ireland veterans?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We are grateful to all veterans of Operation Banner and seek to give them closure with honour and finality. I am pleased that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will in due course bring forward the requisite Bill.

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Q10 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Defence
Context

Effective deployment of submarine forces depends on accurate intelligence.

Question

Are we making every effort to gather intelligence on Russian naval deployments from other countries?

Answer from James Heappey

Our intelligence on Russian submarine movements is, as the hon. Gentleman can imagine, some of the most sensitive, but he will be reassured to know that we are absolutely working with allies to ensure that our understanding of where Russian submarines are is the best it can possibly be.

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Q11 Ben Everitt
Scotland
Context

Poland's recent decision to award Babcock the contract for Arrowhead frigates.

Question

I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in welcoming that downselection. There is still a process to go, but if it has finally got over the line, as I hope, that will be great news for Babcock, great news for Scotland and great news for British shipbuilding.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in welcoming that downselection. There is still a process to go, but if it has finally got over the line, as I hope, that will be great news for Babcock, great news for Scotland and great news for British shipbuilding.

Answered
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Q12 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

A British-Afghan dual national travelled to Afghanistan last year but was not processed for evacuation.

Question

What urgent action can the Minister take, with colleagues in the Home Office, to ensure that my constituent can return safely to the UK with his young family?

Answer from James Heappey

The hon. Lady's question implies, I think, that her constituent was not eligible to come under the Ministry of Defence-administered Afghan relocations and assistance policy. I know that will be of no consolation to him or his family in Afghanistan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment without specifics on how or when the case will be addressed

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Q13 Felicity Buchan
Ukraine Defence
Context

Question about Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles being made available to Ukraine.

Question

Could this kit be used to protect humanitarian corridors and nuclear power plants?

Answer from James Heappey

It certainly could—it is a highly effective weapons system—but we are not seeking to be in any way prescriptive with the Ukrainians about how it is employed, as they will understand their plan better than we do.

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Q14 Chris Matheson Lab
Defence
Context

Concern over future soldier's agility and mobility being compromised by traffic.

Question

Does the Minister share my concern that the agility and mobility hoped for in the Future Soldier programme will be thwarted if those soldiers are stuck in traffic on the M6 near Weeton barracks?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

That is an ingenious construction. We always think about this, but I am afraid we do not have any plans to change that element of the defence estate optimisation portfolio at this point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment to consider or reconsider keeping Dale barracks open

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Q15 Matthew Offord Con
Ukraine
Context

Ukraine is becoming one of the most contaminated countries in the world, posing threats to military and civilians.

Question

Will the Minister meet me and leaders of EOD UK, a mine action community, to discuss how we can plan for the enormous decontamination task ahead of us?

Answer from James Heappey

I certainly will. I have had the opportunity—I am not sure if it is the misfortune or good fortune—to visit a number of countries that have been heavily mined in the past.

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Q16 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Defence
Context

National security vetting services play an important role.

Question

When will the Minister announce that they will remain in York when the MOD moves forward with its plans for the Imphal barracks site?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

I cannot give any form of commitment on that right now, but I will write to the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment regarding future plans for national security vetting services in York

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Q17 James Davies Con
Defence
Context

The UK-led NATO battle group in Estonia received military vehicles and equipment successfully delivered by British and Danish supply ships escorted by Royal Navy vessels.

Question

Over the weekend I was pleased to see two Royal Navy vessels join five other JEF nations in escorting British and Danish supply ships delivering military vehicles and equipment to the UK-led NATO battle group in Estonia. Does my hon. Friend agree that as well as playing a vital role in NATO, it is important for the UK to continue to lead the joint expeditionary force?

Answer from James Heappey

I certainly do. NATO has been the absolute cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security since the end of the second world war, and long may it continue to be so. Neither the JEF, the EU nor anything else should be seen as an alternative. However, there is a market for complementary organisations such as the JEF, which do not require consensus.

Answered
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Q18 Carol Monaghan SNP
Women & Equalities Veterans
Context

The veterans strategy action plan aims to address the historical hurt or disadvantage experienced by sections of the veteran community.

Question

The veterans strategy action plan includes a commitment to address the historical hurt or disadvantage that sections of the veteran community have experienced. Will that include compensation for LGBT veterans?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I look forward to announcing further progress on the review in due course. I do not want to pre-empt the terms and conditions of the chair, but I think that they will be reassuringly broad.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify if it includes compensation for LGBT veterans, only promising further progress in due course without providing specifics.

How: Looking Forward To Updating

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Q19 James Gray Con
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

There is a need to reiterate NATO's defensive nature in response to Putin's presidency.

Question

While it is perfectly true that any sensible person in the west would rather President Putin were not the President of the Russian republic, does the Minister agree that it is vital that we reiterate at every second that we can that NATO is a defensive alliance among 30 members and that we will react if one boot goes over the line on to NATO land, but the presidency of Russia must be a matter for the Russian people, not for us?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

My hon. Friend is correct. NATO is a defensive alliance, and we are working closely together. As my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces said, we are undertaking measures to ensure that NATO retains that deterrence and defensive posture that is appropriate in these times.

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Q20 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Defence Veterans
Context

The Minister previously gave an encouraging answer regarding nuclear test veteran recognition during the 70th anniversary.

Question

At the last Defence questions, I got what I hoped was an encouraging answer on behalf of the nuclear test veterans for what will be the 70th anniversary of the first nuclear tests. Will the Minister update us on where we are in recognising those veterans and their families for their sacrifice?

Answer from Leo Docherty

This continues to be under review. I look forward to updating the hon. Member in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide any update or timeline for recognising nuclear test veterans and their families, only stating it is under review.

How: Under Review

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Q21 Michael Fabricant Con
Ukraine

Question

Ministers have said that we have supplied 4,000 NLAWs and other equipment and deployments, and that we are supplying 6,000 more. Meanwhile, Germany says that it will supply 1,000 and France has not stated what it will supply—as far as I know, nothing has been supplied—so what advice do we give to our colleagues in Europe about how to get their equipment into Ukraine?

Answer from James Heappey

It is not just advice; we offer a service whereby we will go to countries around Europe and pick up stuff and ensure that it gets to Ukraine. At the international donor co-ordination centre in Stuttgart, which I had the pleasure of visiting last week, the UK's 104 Brigade headquarters is the global lead on co-ordinating how all that lethal and non-lethal aid arrives in countries that neighbour Ukraine and how it is moved on thereafter.

Answered
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Q22 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Defence Employment

Question

With the next generation Challenger 3 turrets being built in the north-east, supporting hundreds of jobs, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory working with Newcastle and other local universities and Cook Defence Systems in my constituency providing armoured vehicle tracks for not just British tanks but those of NATO and European allies, will my hon. Friend ensure that the north-east's firms and workers remain at the heart of British defence procurement?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

They are. Last Thursday, I had a great day opening the AI hub for DSTL in Newcastle and pressing the button to start production of the turrets for our Challenger 3 tanks, to which my hon. Friend referred. There is a great history of defence manufacturing in the north-east, and it will have an even greater future.

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