Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Chinese Armed Forces Training

Monday 30 January 2023 · 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 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The National Security Bill includes provisions to prosecute individuals who misuse their military knowledge to train foreign forces against UK interests.
  • Guidance has been issued to departments to address the issue until the National Security Bill is enacted.
  • Richard Foord raised concerns about RAF pilots seeking higher-paying jobs training foreign air forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Defence Veterans
Context

Concerns have been raised about the potential for ex-UK armed forces personnel to train Chinese armed forces, posing a security risk.

Question

What steps he is taking to prevent former UK armed forces personnel from providing training to the Chinese armed forces. The National Security Bill contains provisions that will help in prosecuting those who use their knowledge and expertise to train foreign militaries prejudicial to the interests of the UK. In the meantime, while the Bill passes through this House and the other place, we have issued guidance to all defence personnel at risk, and reminded personnel of their obligations to protect sensitive information.

Answer from Ben Wallace

The National Security Bill contains provisions that will help in prosecuting those who use their knowledge and expertise to train foreign militaries prejudicial to the interests of the UK. In the meantime, while the Bill passes through this House and the other place, we have issued guidance to all defence personnel at risk, and reminded personnel of their obligations to protect sensitive information.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

A significant number of qualified RAF pilots are leaving for better-paid jobs that involve training foreign militaries. Additionally, the UK's fixed-wing aircraft inventory has decreased by nearly a quarter since 2017 and all Hawk jet trainer aircraft have been grounded due to an engine issue.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for that helpful response. Qualified RAF pilots are quitting for better paid jobs that involve training the air forces of other countries, and fixed-wing aircraft have dropped by nearly a quarter since 2017. We learned last week that all the RAF's Hawk jet trainer aircraft have been grounded because of an engine issue. Given that the Government will be in the High Court tomorrow in an effort to justify supplying arms for use in the war in Yemen, what does the Secretary of State have to say to MPs across the House who are concerned about the deployment of RAF personnel to Saudi Arabia in the last couple of months to train the Royal Saudi air force?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I have absolutely no problem with supporting our friend and ally in the region, Saudi Arabia. We have done it for decades, and will continue to do so.

Not addressed: The specific concerns about deploying RAF personnel to train the Royal Saudi air force were not addressed.

How: Supporting Our Friend And Ally In The Region

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