Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 20 May 2024 · 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 6 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Philip Hollobone inquired about the UK's response to the conflict in Kharkiv and the government's plan to support Ukraine, to which the government acknowledged the importance of continuing support for Ukraine's fight for democracy and freedom.
  • The UK has made a significant contribution of 325 million to a drones coalition and has provided 4,000 drones to Ukraine, reflecting the increasing role of drone technology in modern warfare.
  • John Healey questioned the sustainability of increased military aid to Ukraine given historical cuts to the UK's defence budget, and the Minister responded by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to maintain the current level of support without further budget cuts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Ukraine
Context

The situation in Kharkiv, Ukraine is concerning as Russia attempts to make territorial gains. The MP wants to discuss the government's response.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Given the loss of lives in Kharkiv and the ongoing conflict, how does the government plan to ensure continued support for Ukraine?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We are very mindful of the situation in Ukraine, particularly in Kharkiv where Russia is making, or trying to make, inroads. This is an existential battle for all civilised countries that believe in democracy and freedom, and it is the case that we must ensure that the world continues to keep up the efforts. It is not right for there to be pauses in our support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or additional funding details were not provided

How: We Are Mindful, World Must Continue Efforts

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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Ukraine Defence
Context

Lieutenant General Pavliuk confirmed that drones now cause the most casualties in the conflict. The MP seeks clarification on Britain's role.

Question

Lieutenant General Pavliuk recently stated that medium and short-range strike drones now kill more soldiers than any other weapon. Given this, what specific steps is the UK taking to master drone technology and support Ukraine?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is one reason why this country has been at the forefront of providing drones. Indeed, we have made an enormous £325 million contribution to the drones coalition and provided 4,000 drones in the latest package.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Ukraine Defence
Context

The Labour party supports the increase in military aid to Ukraine but questions whether it is sustainable without addressing cuts since 2010.

Question

Supporting Ukraine's £3 billion annual military aid has Labour's full support. However, with nearly 50,000 personnel cut from forces since 2010 and previous defence spending reduced by £80 billion, how sustainable is this increase without further cuts?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I very much appreciate the hon. Gentleman's support for the ongoing support to Ukraine of £3 billion a year. I gently say to him that it is not possible to provide that support without a route to getting there, with the 2.5%; otherwise, it will come out of the rest of the budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on cuts and sustainability were avoided

How: It Is Not Possible, Support Without Route

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Q4 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The previous Minister admitted the current government has 'hollowed out and underfunded' forces, leading Labour to question if another five years of conservative rule is detrimental.

Question

Defence spending increased to 2.5% but cuts since 2010 total £80 billion. Does the current approach risk further damage to armed forces over the next five years?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The armed forces cannot afford a Labour Government if Labour cannot answer one simple question: when?

Not addressed: null

How: Labour Cannot Answer, When

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Q5 Paul Howell
Veterans
Context

The MP seeks further files on the tragic sinking of RFA Sir Galahad in the Falklands war from previously reviewed extracts.

Question

Following meetings with veterans and reviewing files at National Archives, will the Minister update the House on any new information regarding the sinking of RFA Sir Galahad?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

Following meetings with colleagues and veterans, having personally reviewed the files at the National Archives, and in the interests of transparency, I am placing copies of two recently reviewed extracts from the 1982 board of inquiry report on the loss of RFA Sir Galahad in the Library of the House.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q6 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Defence Employment
Context

Hundreds of RMT members took industrial action over a 36% real-term pay cut since 2010, while commending their work in Gaza.

Question

With RMT members taking industrial action over pay cuts since 2010 and maintaining operational commitments in Gaza, will the Minister meet RMT officials to ensure fair payment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service seafarers?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

As the grandson of an RFA officer, I defer to nobody in my admiration for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. I commend the RFA for maintaining its operational commitments, in particular in relation to Gaza.

Not addressed: Meeting RMT officials was not addressed

How: Admiration, Maintaining Commitments

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Q7 Virginia Crosbie
Defence
Context

RAF Valley is a significant employer with confirmed investments for the future, but concerns exist about post-2040 job security.

Question

With £175 million for new flying school, £600 million for Hawk engineering support, and £44 million for runway improvement, what assurance can be given to RAF Valley engineers that there will be secure local jobs after 2040?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I very much enjoyed my visit to RAF Valley in February. I can confirm that the RAF has already started its standard capability investigation process into the future of combat aircrew training.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific job assurances post-2040 were not provided

How: Enjoyed Visit, Started Process

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Q8 Barry Sheerman Lab
Ukraine
Context

The MP seeks clarification on the supply of shells for Ukrainian military operations.

Question

I was thinking of an even better question—how many artillery shells has the UK supplied to Ukraine since confirming 300,000 earlier?

Answer from James Cartlidge

The hon. Gentleman asks about the supply of shells. I am delighted to tell to him that we previously confirmed the provision of 300,000 artillery shells to Ukraine. The latest figure is that this country has procured 400,000 artillery shells directly into Ukraine.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q9 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Defence
Context

The MP questions the readiness of UK's A400M aircraft for historical commemorations.

Question

How can it be that despite spending billions on 22 A400M aircraft, we have only one available for D-Day 80? If there are more, let us hear about it. Why did we retire a highly reliable aircraft in the Hercules, for a highly unreliable one in the A400M? Have we sold the Hercules aircraft? If not, can we put them back in service?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We will have two A400M aircraft available for D-Day 80 on 5 June. The number of people who will be dropped will be 181, due to the historical context involving a specific number of paratroopers from D-Day.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reliability issues and potential reinstatement of Hercules aircraft

How: Changed Subject

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Q10 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential closure of Chicksands base in his constituency and has yet to receive further details from the Minister.

Question

In my Westminster Hall debate last year, the Minister for Defence Procurement announced plans to close the Chicksands base in my constituency. I am yet to hear more from the Minister, but my constituents are becoming deeply concerned. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the issue further and what more we can do in the meantime to address the shocking state of accommodation on the base?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.

Not addressed: Meeting details, state of accommodation at Chicksands base

How: Promises To Discuss

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Q11 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Defence Economy
Context

The MP welcomes the Government's commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence but asks how additional funds would be utilized if economic growth leads to increased revenue.

Question

I warmly welcome the Government's commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence spending, but after we have won the next general election, growth will come to the economy and there will be much more money to be spent on defence? How would my right hon. Friends spend that money in the defence of the realm?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We will ensure that we can do a whole range of things that will help to make this country stronger and more secure. On that, he has my word.

Not addressed: Specific spending commitments for future growth scenarios

How: Broad Principles

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Q12 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Wales
Context

The MP acknowledges the release of documents exonerating the Welsh Guards from blame for the Sir Galahad bombing and seeks agreement on the need to thank them.

Question

I thank the Minister for releasing the documents relating to the bombing of the Sir Galahad in 1982, which exonerate the Welsh Guards. I know that the campaign will continue to seek the full truth, but does the Minister agree that instead of being blamed the Welsh Guards are owed our thanks for their service?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I agree with the hon. Lady. No blame is attached in particular to the Welsh Guards. They committed themselves heroically, and I join her in saluting them.

Answered
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Q13 Miriam Cates
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP supports the Foreign Secretary's stance on not ending military exports to Israel due to strategic interests.

Question

It is of huge strategic interest to Britain that Israel prevails against Hamas. The Foreign Secretary stated last week that ending military exports to Israel would embolden Hamas and Iran. Does my hon. Friend agree that such a move would harm UK defence interests and disadvantage our armed forces who rely on Israeli-made battlefield equipment?

Answer from Leo Docherty

My hon. Friend is correct in her analysis. We are focused on ensuring that our assets in the region contribute to the release of hostages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Impact on UK defence interests and armed forces reliance

How: Changed Subject

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Q14 Peter Grant SNP
Defence
Context

The MP questions the policy on defence deals and arms sales to nations where the head of armed forces is under arrest for alleged war crimes.

Question

What is the policy of His Majesty's Government on defence deals and arms sales to countries whose head of armed forces is under arrest warrant for alleged war crimes?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We support the country. We do not support individuals in that Government; we support the country itself, and our licensing regime is entirely independent of this matter.

Not addressed: Specific policy details on arms sales to nations with accused military leaders

How: Broad Principles

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Q15 Suella Braverman Reform Fareham and Waterlooville
Defence
Context

The MP highlights the importance of full carrier strike group capability and questions how further defence spending will bring online a full complement of F-35 jets.

Question

In Fareham, we are proud of our world-class aircraft carriers docked in Portsmouth. However, neither Queen Elizabeth nor Prince of Wales has as many jets or small warships as originally planned. Will the Minister tell me how further defence spending will be used to bring online the full complement of F-35 jets so that our carrier strike group has full capability?

Answer from James Cartlidge

We have confirmed 48 aircraft by 2025 and a further 27 by 2033. We work with allies to ensure NATO operations and maintenance capabilities are in place, as seen recently with the rapid activation of second carriers.

Answered
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Q16 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Housing Veterans
Context

The MP criticizes the Government for failing to deliver on their promise to end veterans' homelessness, noting an increase of 14%.

Question

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs promised last year to end veterans homelessness by the end of that year. Instead, homelessness rose by 14%. Are Ministers proud that their Government are failing to deliver on their promise to their veterans?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

One person homeless is one person too many. We will continue supporting veterans, charities and initiatives for housing in naval base port areas and garrison towns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to reduce veteran homelessness

How: Broad Principles

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Q17 James Sunderland
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The motor sports industry in the UK is worth £10 billion annually, but its governing body, Motorsport UK, has faced diminishing access to military venues despite signing the armed forces covenant.

Question

Britain's world-leading motor sports industry is worth at least £10 billion annually to the UK economy. The sport's governing body, Motorsport UK, has proudly sponsored access to military venues for many years, but despite recently signing the armed forces covenant, that access appears to be diminishing. Will the Minister please agree to meet me, and perhaps the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, to discuss better third-party revenue-generating opportunities for the MOD estate?

Answer from James Cartlidge

I would of course be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. On the subject of motorsport, I stress to him and the House that the MOD has a brilliant partnership with McLaren, jointly innovating to look at, for example, technology relating to electronic vehicles. I am more than happy to meet him and look into the matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask of meeting to discuss third-party revenue-generating opportunities was not directly addressed; instead, a general offer to meet was provided with no commitment on the topic raised.

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Q18 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Defence Housing
Context

A constituent renting from the Ministry of Defence has been given notice to quit within two months without any reason provided, despite never missing rent payments.

Question

A constituent of mine who rents his home from the Ministry of Defence has recently been given notice to quit within two months, without any reason. He has never missed any rent payments and he has been unable to contact his landlord with a query on the instruction. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the situation?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss that; I have seen several cases of people having to leave their service accommodation. In general, the DIO and the Ministry of Defence will ensure that people have more than the minimum allowed by legislation, and we bend over backwards to ensure that people leaving service accommodation have somewhere to go to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a meeting on the constituent's housing issue was not directly addressed; instead, a general offer to meet was provided with no commitment on resolving the current situation or providing specifics about the tenant's case.

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Q19 Jack Lopresti Con
Ukraine Defence
Context

The UK defence industry is actively supporting Ukraine with equipment, and there is a need to increase the amount of ammunition being supplied.

Question

My hon. Friend will appreciate the huge importance of what the UK defence industry is doing to help Ukraine get the equipment it needs. Can he update the House on what his Department is doing to increase the amount of ammunition getting to the front line in Ukraine?

Answer from James Cartlidge

My hon. Friend, who has Defence Equipment & Support in his constituency, has been a consistent champion of supporting Ukraine and he comes to every questions session to make that point. We are working hard to get more munitions in there; I mentioned 400,000 artillery shells, but I could list an enormous amount of ordnance. I can tell him and the House that we are not just doing everything possible ourselves, but cohering our allies and learning the lessons for our own armed forces. We have to be in this for the long haul, and the fight for Ukraine's freedom is the right one.

Answered
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