Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 11 September 2023 · 19 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 12 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Simon Jupp asked about support for veterans in the south-west, and the Minister stated that phase 1 of the project to issue veterans cards is completed, and those who left before December 2018 should receive their cards by the end of 2023.
  • John Healey questioned the UK's leadership on Ukraine, and the Minister responded that the UK is the lead nation in financial, kit, and people support against Putin's aggression.
  • Andrew Lewer inquired about the Continuity of Education Allowance for armed forces children, and the Minister committed to reviewing CEA to ensure it remains fit for purpose, with results expected later in the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Jupp
Veterans
Context

The MP is concerned that veterans in East Devon may not have access to the services they need due to a delay in issuing ID cards.

Question

There are more than 265,000 former members of the armed forces in the south-west, many of whom reside in my constituency of East Devon. We must ensure that every veteran can access the services they need when they leave the service. Can my right hon. Friend update the House on the progress being made towards delivering ID cards to all veterans by Remembrance Day this year?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

My hon. Friend will be aware that phase 1 of this project is already completed, which is to say that as people leave the armed forces, they are issued with their veterans cards. Those who left before December 2018 should get their cards by the end of this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether all veterans will receive ID cards by Remembrance Day and focused on those leaving after December 2018.

How: Under Review

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Q2 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Ukraine
Context

The MP notes that the UK Government has committed £4.6 billion to Ukraine but feels that this support needs to be accelerated.

Question

As Ministers know, UK unity on Ukraine stays strong and the Government will continue to have Labour's fullest support on military aid. Ukrainians are now urgently asking for more to help their current counter-offensive to succeed, and since January, the Prime Minister has repeatedly pledged to accelerate Ukraine's support. When will this happen?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The right hon. Gentleman will know full well that the United Kingdom is probably the lead nation on many fronts among our European peers— financially, in terms of kit and in supporting the people who are conducting the fight against Putin's aggression. We will continue to do that, and at the weekend in Düsseldorf, I reiterated that to my Ukrainian counterpart.

Not addressed: The question asked for a timeline on accelerating support but the answer was vague about future actions.

How: Leading Europe

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Q3 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Ukraine
Context

The MP is concerned that other European countries are outpacing the UK in their commitment and delivery of support to Ukraine.

Question

But I fear UK leadership on Ukraine is flagging. The UK Government have committed £4.6 billion, yet Germany has now committed €17 billion. The UK's 14 tanks have now been dwarfed by 324 from Poland, and last week's decision to proscribe Wagner as a terrorist group was taken by the European Union 10 months ago. Will the Minister accept that we must accelerate UK military support and redouble the UK's defence diplomacy to maintain western unity and solidarity?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The UK Government prefer action rather than words, and I point to the 20,000 Ukrainians we are training, to Storm Shadow and to the fact that kit is going out the door right now and being used on the ground. Rhetoric is one thing; action is another.

Not addressed: The question asked for a commitment but no specific timeline or additional measures were provided.

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Q4 Andrew Lewer Con
Education Employment
Context

CEA is an important recruitment and retention facility for the armed forces, but it has not kept up with inflation.

Question

Continuity of education allowance is an important recruitment and retention facility for the armed forces, but it has not kept up with inflation in recent years. Can the Minister commit to ensuring that CEA levels are not eroded in the future?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

CEA is an important way of making sure that the education of service children is not disrupted. To that end, I have asked for a review of CEA to make sure it is fit for purpose, and I will have the results of that review later this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a direct commitment but promised a future review.

How: Under Review

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Q5 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Defence Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

Survivors of the attack have sought transparency and declassification of documents for over four decades.

Question

It is 41 years since the attack on the Sir Galahad in the Falklands conflict in which 56 died and many more were injured. Ever since, survivors have sought transparency about what happened, but they need documents declassified in full. Will Ministers commit, like the previous Secretary of State, to read the papers with a view to declassifying? Will they also meet my constituent Mike Hermanis and other survivors to discuss that?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her question. Yes, I can commit to meet her and her constituent, if she wishes to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not explicitly address declassification of papers but offered to meet survivors.

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Q6 Philip Hollobone Con
Ukraine Defence
Context

There is concern about the effectiveness and lethality of emerging drone technology in NATO operations.

Question

A key question from the Ukrainian theatre is about the effectiveness and lethality of emerging drone technology. What steps are being taken to ensure that NATO has world-class compatible, deployable drones to meet emerging threats?

Answer from James Cartlidge

My hon. Friend asks an excellent question. It must be clear to everyone just from what is available on social media that uncrewed air systems, as they are called, have an extraordinary impact in theatre. I reassure him that we are working on a strategy to look at how we can make the most of this capability to ensure that, above all, we have our own cutting-edge sovereign capability.

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or timelines for NATO's drone technology strategy.

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Q7 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Defence
Context

Concerns about the delay and lack of transparency around the Ajax fighting vehicle project.

Question

The Ajax fighting vehicle is proving to be something of a stealth weapon. When will the Government produce or provide the House with a statement explaining where we are up to with the project and when it will be delivered to the frontline?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I did give a statement to the House—I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was present—in which I confirmed that we would learn the lessons of the Sheldon review, but, above all, confirmed the good news that Ajax was with the field Army for regular training.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific date or timeline for when further updates will be provided to the House on project progress.

How: Under Review

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Q8 Andrew Selous Con
Defence
Context

MP is following up on recommendations made during a family strategy report.

Question

Dealing with the challenges that armed forces families face is vital for strong defence. I made a promise to many of the families I was privileged to meet during the “Living in our shoes” review that the recommendations would not gather dust. How can I find out where we are on recommendations 36, 48, 68 and 96, for example?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

My hon. Friend will forgive me if I do not know off the top of my head what those recommendations relate to. I can say to him that Defence is very fortunate in having him and his colleagues as co-authors of the report on the armed forces family strategy steering group, acting as critical friends and holding Defence to account against the strategy action plan.

Not addressed: The answer did not provide information about specific recommendations but instead focused on the broader process.

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Q9 Chris Stephens SNP
Defence
Context

The extent of RAAC use within the Defence estate buildings has raised concerns.

Question

What assessment has been made of the extent of the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete within Defence estate buildings? Has any assessment been made at Faslane naval base?

Answer from James Cartlidge

At the moment, we are not releasing specific details because the work is ongoing. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has been undertaking a huge amount of work since 2019 on RAAC in the MOD context. There is no impact from RAAC on service family accommodation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about RAAC usage and assessment at Faslane naval base were not provided.

How: We Are Not Releasing Specific Details Because The Work Is Ongoing

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Q10 Selaine Saxby
Defence
Context

There has been a focus on speeding up procurement decisions to support British military manufacturers.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital that we back British military manufacturers? What steps are being taken to speed up delayed procurement decisions? Will he visit North Devon to meet some of the innovative suppliers manufacturing here in the UK?

Answer from James Cartlidge

A lot of work is going on to improve the speed of procurement. A visit has been planned to meet companies in her part of the world in a couple of weeks, which will be coordinated with her office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken to speed up delayed procurement decisions were not detailed.

How: A Lot Of Work Is Going On

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Q11 Tobias Ellwood Con
Defence
Context

Today marks the anniversary of 9/11, prompting reflection on the current threat landscape.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the threat of Islamic extremism—whether home-grown or from abroad—remains and that our defence posture should reflect that?

Answer from James Heappey

Agrees with the hon. Friend about the ongoing threat of violent extremism, despite increased focus on hostile state actors. Tribute is paid to armed forces engaged in countering violence and extremism.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to updating defence posture was made.

How: The Focus Has Increasingly Been On Hostile State Actors

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Q12 Andrew Bridgen Con
Veterans
Context

There are delays in settling claims related to Gulf war syndrome.

Question

Will the Minister update on progress being made to settle the claims of thousands of veterans and their families for what is commonly called Gulf war syndrome?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The armed forces compensation scheme is up and running, but there have been delays in some applications. The best available science as assessed by the independent medical expert group informs policy compliance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No update on settlement progress was provided.

How: There Have Been Delays

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Q13 Jack Lopresti Con
Ukraine Defence
Context

There are barriers to bilateral defence collaboration between Ukraine and the UK.

Question

Ukrainian and UK defence companies face barriers when trying to set up joint working. Could my hon. Friend update on how these barriers are being reduced?

Answer from James Cartlidge

Rapid procurement has been seen, particularly in relation to urgent requirements at Abbey Wood. A meeting is planned shortly with major Ukrainian defence industrialists, which the hon. Friend invited me to attend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps for reducing barriers were detailed.

How: Rapid Procurement Has Been Seen

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Q14 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Ukraine
Context

There was a commitment last September to provide £2.3 billion for Ukraine.

Question

When can we expect the sum of £2.3 billion announced by the right hon. Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss) to be made available to Ukraine?

Answer from James Heappey

The Prime Minister engages with world leaders regularly, and he continues to deliver commitments as previous Secretaries of State did. The issue might be mentioned in the PM's statement later.

Not addressed: No specific date for fund release was provided.

How: The Prime Minister Engages With World Leaders Regularly

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Q15 Paul Howell
NHS Veterans
Context

Recognition of a veteran's achievement is requested.

Question

I am sure the Minister will agree that our veterans make some of the best role models. Will he applaud my constituent Bill Cooksey, who at 102 completed the Great North Run this weekend on behalf of NHS charities?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

The hon. Gentleman is congratulated by Bill Cooksey on completing the Great North Run at such an extraordinary age. The Minister admires him hugely.

Answered
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Q16 Barry Sheerman Lab
Context

A previous Secretary of State promised a visit to see the work being done by David Brown Santasalo.

Question

Will one of the team be able to fulfil the promise made by the previous Secretary of State to come to David Brown Santasalo in Huddersfield?

Answer from James Cartlidge

If unable to visit the specific company, forums will be held around the country, including one in Wales and another planned in his part of the world. The hon. Gentleman will receive further details.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No confirmation of visiting David Brown Santasalo was given.

How: Forums Will Be Held Around The Country

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Q17 Sarah Atherton
Defence
Context

There is concern about hybrid threats and espionage campaigns by Russia against Western democracies.

Question

What work is the MOD doing across Government Departments, and the private and public sectors to combat hybrid threats?

Answer from James Heappey

The Deputy Prime Minister leads a cross-Government effort. The National Security Act 2023, National Security Investment Act 2021 and the £2.6 billion investment through the national cyber strategy 2022 are part of the efforts to combat state threats.

Answered
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Q18 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Housing Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The question addresses the scarcity of suitable housing for veterans in Northern Ireland, a persistent issue affecting many service members transitioning out of the military.

Question

One of the greatest problems that my veteran constituents have is housing accommodation. It is as scarce as hen's teeth, as we would say back home. What discussions has the Minister had with the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland to secure funding and housing for veterans who have just finished service or are retiring?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

Clearly, we want to improve service accommodation all the time. However, 97% of service accommodation meets or exceeds the decent home standard. That is admirable compared with the record of many local authorities. We are investing in accommodation, and it is improving all the time. I very much regret the occasional report of accommodation that falls short of the mark, and we seek to rectify it as soon as we can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions with the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland were not detailed.

How: General Statements About Improving Accommodations

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Q19 James Sunderland
Education
Context

The continuity of education allowance is a critical issue for families in the military, ensuring that children can continue their education without disruption. The question addresses concerns over Labour's proposed changes to private school funding.

Question

We have heard this afternoon how important the continuity of education allowance is for service families. Does the Minister assess that Labour's proposed attack on private schools will make it easier or harder to educate service children?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

It would certainly make it far more expensive. It would also threaten small schools like Warminster School in my constituency, which relies very much on service families. I just reflect on the sacrifices made by all people I know who choose to send their children to independent schools, and in particular members of the defence community who are of course required to make a substantial contribution to their children's education in the event that they choose to educate them in the independent sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact on service families' financial burden was not quantified or detailed.

How: Emotional Appeal

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