Topical Questions

Question

Our whistleblower has alleged that staff from HM Naval Base Clyde were recently moved from building 201 in Coulport, where warheads are managed, to building 41 elsewhere, due to a serious radiation breach. How many such events have been registered in the past three years? How many such incidents have been reported to the public?

Question

I recently met Help for Heroes, and we spoke about the routine health assessment at the point of military discharge. Is there more that can be done at this point to pick up on mental health issues? It is a defining moment.

Question

I welcome the Defence Secretary's news that the vanity project of the previous Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson)—the flagship—will be scrapped, and the spending switched to purposes that will help defend the country. Ahead of the Chancellor's autumn statement, the Defence Secretary told the Select Committee last week 'I need money to protect me from inflation', yet in the current spending settlement, Defence is the only Department with a real-terms cut in its revenue budget.

Question

When the Secretary of State agreed that budget, it was a £1.7 billion real-terms cut in the revenue budget. Now, he says that inflationary pressures on his budget for the next two years are about £8 billion. How much does Defence actually need from the Chancellor on the 17th to plug this budget black hole that has opened up on the Secretary of State's watch?

Question

The recently announced defence accommodation strategy is worth £1.6 billion of investment, which will bring better facilities for our servicemen and women. Equally, it will create thousands of jobs across the United Kingdom. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that, notwithstanding the budget pressures, the strategy will still be proceeded with?

Question

I am concerned about the scandal of poor military housing. Almost a third of homes need urgent repair though £650 million was allocated six months ago without success. When will these companies be brought into line and fix our servicepeople's homes?

Question

I thank the 3,500 NATO troops from various countries, especially UK forces, for participating in Exercise Iron Wolf II in Lithuania. The exercise defended our democratic freedoms against hostile powers. Does he agree that the UK's defence is best served by continued NATO cooperation?

Question

What progress is being made to replicate the ONS's method of recording and reporting veteran suicides in Scotland for use in Northern Ireland?

Question

Poland has been our ally for more than 150 years. Could the Secretary of State update on steps being taken to strengthen alliances and modernise Poland's armed forces?

Question

Figures show more than 50% of veterans rate their compensation scheme experiences poorly. I have launched a survey to gather feedback from those affected. Will the Minister meet us when this concludes?

Question

The Russian ambassador has recently alleged that the UK was up to no good and handed over a report to this effect. What are your comments on these allegations? Have you seen the information? Does Russia have any evidence?

Question

It is important to refresh the integrated review. The Minister said he would not rule anything in or out from a capability standpoint. Should we wait for the review refresh before making cuts?

Question

Campaigns and equipment rely on people, and people need to be at the centre of future defence planning. However, last week there was an urgent question on conduct towards women in the Royal Navy. The urgent priority to address unacceptable behaviour and culture has been stretched to a five-year vision, so will the Secretary of State give further reassurances that service personnel will be at the heart of the integrated review and defence Command Paper refresh?

Question

The Secretary of State will be aware that in March 2020 Russian reconnaissance bombers entered the Rathlin sector of UK airspace. Six Typhoons had to be scrambled in order to escort those reconnaissance bombers out of our airspace. Given the likelihood of an anti-NATO Government being elected in the Republic of Ireland, and given that the UK Government had to seek Republic of Ireland support to enter its airspace in order to escort those bombers out, what actions will the Secretary of State take to ensure that a proper assessment is made of these national security interests?

Question

The armed forces are a major employer across Lincolnshire—so much so that it is the ambition of the Greater Lincolnshire local enterprise partnership to become a nationally recognised cluster of innovation-focused defence companies, and to ensure that Greater Lincolnshire and Lincoln are a highly attractive first-choice destination for defence-related industries, service leaders and their families. Will Ministers assure me that Lincolnshire, including busy RAF Waddington, which now has the Red Arrows on base in my constituency, will continue to be a key area for defence investment?

Question

Do the Government recognise that while the practice of double-counting spending towards the targets for overseas development assistance and for NATO defence might be a neat trick, it is a false economy?

Question

Recently I met Richard Morgan from 65 Degrees North, a charity that seeks to help in the rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans by giving them the opportunity to participate in challenging adventure. Do Ministers agree that there is a need to change the perception of physical and mental disabilities through this spirit of adventure, and will they congratulate the charity on the work it does?

Question

The defence Command Paper states: “China poses a complex, systemic challenge.” But we recently learned that RAF veterans have been lured to China to assist with its own air force training, and today's response to my written parliamentary question confirms that Chinese officer cadets have recently been attending courses at Sandhurst, Shrivenham and Cranwell. Will the Secretary of State confirm that we will update our security strategy towards China, and will the law be changed to prevent former RAF pilots from being recruited by the Chinese military?

Question

In this remembrance period, does the Minister recall the two very constructive meetings held by the War Widows' Association with our hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Leo Docherty), when he was veterans Minister, about the 200 to 300 people who lost their widow's pension on remarriage? Will the progress made towards an ex gratia payment for that small cohort now be rapidly brought to a conclusion?

Question

On Friday, I had the honour of visiting the brand-new specialist veterans orthopaedic centre at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital near Oswestry. It is going to be a world-class facility built to provide NHS care for veterans across the UK, as well as working with military charities to provide other support. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating staff there on their achievement and agree to consider extending such centres across the UK?

Question

Will the integrated review refresh include consideration of the resilience of the RAF's main operating bases, particularly when it comes to dispersal?