Topical Questions 2021-03-15

2021-03-15

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
An incident involving members of the RAF Regiment was reported, raising concerns about bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
The government's programme has failed to recognise the impact on organisations across Bristol South. I am concerned by the reporting we saw of an incident involving members of the RAF Regiment at the weekend. What proportion of servicemen and women are currently deployed in UN peacekeeping operations?
I can write to the hon. Lady with the exact proportions. All I can say is that there has been a significant increase recently, with the deployment to Mali of our forces to assist in the United Nations mission there. We also have a number of forces deployed in Somalia, assisting that fragile state in trying to come to terms with the consequences of the civil war.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide exact current proportions or future projections
Will Write To Hon. Lady
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
Concerns about reductions in the UK's full-spectrum military capabilities due to budget cuts and focus on niche capabilities.
Russia is rearming, Daesh is regrouping and China is nudging us out of military and trade partnerships across Africa. Yet we are witnessing a reduction in our conventional hard power and full-spectrum capabilities. Regarding the F-35 jets, does the Secretary of State agree that cutting back our order from 138 to 48 will mean that, if required, we could never unilaterally operate both carriers in strike mode simultaneously?
I have listened to my right hon. Friend's consistent messaging over the last few months. I think the thing that we can all agree with is that, as he said at the weekend, “we must modernise—but first let's agree the threat—& then design the right defence posture.” That is exactly what we have been doing.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address F-35 reduction question directly
Playing By The Ladybird Book Of Defence Design
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The Government are still 10,000 short of the number of full-time armed forces personnel required to meet threats as stated by the previous defence review.
Britain's full-time armed forces are still 10,000 short of the numbers that the last defence review in 2015 said were needed. Why is this shortfall occurring and what plans do you have to address it?
I have listened to the right hon. Gentleman. We are 6,000 under. The strength is 76,500 from the 82,000 that was pledged. Until the covid break, we were on target to fulfil the pipeline and target for recruiting. We will continue to invest in people. Next week there will be announcements that put people at the heart of our defence review.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific recruitment measures or timeline
Promised Next Week'S Announcements
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
John Healey Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Context
The Government are set to make the same mistakes as previous reviews by under-staffing the armed forces, leading to cuts and bad budgeting.
Our forces personnel will go to war alongside robots in the future. But robots do not seize vital ground from enemies or rebuild societies, and they do not give covid jabs. Is it true that over the past decade we have seen our armed forces run down—numbers down, pay down, morale down—and that all indications are that Ministers will make the same mistakes as before?
The right hon. Gentleman seems to forget that for the past three or four decades, every Government has been over-ambitious and underfunded defence policy. I point him to the National Audit Office report into the processes of his Government in 2010 to show that we have promised soldiers equipment they never got.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether numbers, pay, morale are down or if mistakes will be made
Pointing At Previous Governments
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
John Healey Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Context
Cyber-security is crucial for national defence, but there is a significant under-representation of women in the sector.
A cyber-security conference is one of the only places on earth where women never have to queue for the loo because there are so few of us. Given that cyber-security is vital and there is a global talent shortage, how will the Government work with industry to encourage more women into this field?
I am sorry that that has been my hon. Friend's experience. I think in the public sector it is cyber-security, but in key parts of the armed forces there are higher proportions of women. That is why the state signed up and sponsored the CyberFirst campaign to stimulate interest among girls at school.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures for industry collaboration or addressing skills gap
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Emma Hardy Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Context
Workers at RAF Leeming have been striking since January over a £5,000 pay disparity. Last week, workers at Faslane and Coulport walked out due to low wages and the break-up of their single bargaining unit.
As I mentioned at the previous defence questions, workers at RAF Leeming have been striking since January over a £5,000 pay disparity. Just last week, Faslane and Coulport workers walked out over low wages and the looming break-up of their single bargaining unit. What action can the Minister take to stop these loyal staff being exploited?
The hon. Lady refers to two bits of potential industrial action. I have written to her about RAF Leeming in the last month. Obviously, it is a source of concern when employers and employees fall out, but I am not going to get into discussions on the specific action involved. We urge all those involved to come to an agreement.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to address the pay disparity and job security issues were not provided
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Gareth Davies Con
Grantham and Bourne
Context
The UK shares many common security threats with India, and both countries have a strategic alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.
I very much welcome the Government's efforts to forge new trade links with India. However, given we share many common security threats and the fact that it is a key strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific region, can my hon. Friend outline what efforts are being made to better strengthen our defence relationship with India?
The UK Government are committed to working with the Government of India and increasing our efforts to combat shared threats. In particular, the UK is focused on increasing bilateral maritime co-operation in the Indian ocean and on ensuring a closer defence industrial relationship in line with Prime Minister Modi's made in India policy. We are also committed to uplifting our defence education and training relationship to enable us to work together more effectively.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
The MOD estimates its equipment plan is underfunded by about £8.3 billion in the first five years, with additional needs for single-person living accommodation.
The MOD itself estimates that its equipment plan is underfunded by about £8.3 billion in its first five years. We also know, for example, that the MOD will need to spend perhaps billions of pounds to bring its single-person living accommodation up to even a basic minimum tolerable standard. Will the Minister tell us how much of the additional money that the Prime Minister trumpeted at the spending review in November will be genuinely new money and how much of it will be swallowed up to fill these and other existing black holes in the defence budget?
I am not going to prejudge in advance of the announcements that are going to be made. They will all be made in the next eight days or so. The hon. Gentleman will be able to see for himself, but I assure him that we have gone through the numbers very closely and there is a lot of new money coming into defence—a £24 billion increase in the amount of money being spent on defence.
Assessment & feedback
Specific breakdown between genuinely new money and filling existing gaps was not provided
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The defence sector employs unique, high-end design and manufacturing capabilities across the UK with significant export potential.
With the Government's integrated review due to be published imminently, potential investment in programmes such as Tempest would clearly align with the Government's agenda for skills, development and social value. The defence sector employs unique, high-end design and manufacturing capabilities across the UK, with significant export potential, so how will constituents benefit from this?
Many constituencies and many constituents will benefit from it. I know my hon. Friend is a fierce advocate for Leonardo helicopters in his part of the world. In that particular case, we really value our strategic partnership arrangements and recognise the contribution that they make to UK prosperity.
Assessment & feedback
Specific benefits for constituents were not detailed beyond general statements
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Jamie Stone Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Context
The intention is to deploy Royal Navy warships to safeguard trade routes via the Arctic. The limited range of conventionally powered warships raises questions about their basing.
Some days ago, I read with great interest a piece in saying that the intention is to deploy Royal Navy warships to the high north to safeguard trade routes via the Arctic. Given the limited range of conventionally powered warships, is there a case for relocating warships further north within the United Kingdom?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that question. First and foremost, I can give him some reassurance that not only are we continuing to move our submarines from the south to the north to invest in basing in Scotland—for submarine basing, and submarines pose just as lethal a threat to our adversaries as any surface fleet—but we continue to patrol the high north, recently in the Barents sea, and earlier in the year when we returned for the first time since the cold war, joining NATO allies to make sure that those vital trade routes are invested in.
Assessment & feedback
Specific need to relocate surface ships was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The International Criminal Court is opening an investigation into Israel, potentially setting a precedent.
The International Criminal Court's announcement that it is opening an investigation into Israel sets a precedent, potentially opening the door for non-state actors in Afghanistan or Iraq to initiate proceedings against our armed forces. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to support Israel against this probe and to ensure that democratic states will not be prevented from combating terrorist threats?
My hon. Friend is right to ask about the actions of the ICC. We of course respect the independence of the ICC, but we expect it to exercise due prosecutorial and judicial discipline. We continue to engage with the ICC and international partners to make those points.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to support Israel were not detailed beyond general statements
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
Demand for veterans' mental health services has increased by 74% during lockdown, with continued long waiting times.
The Veterans Minister will recall that in defence questions in November, I raised the concerns that I have about veterans' mental health. Since then, I have been made aware that demand for services has increased 74% during lockdown. Does he think that the funding that goes into veterans' mental health is enough, and because waiting times have continued to be longer for veterans, what more can we do to support veterans with mental health difficulties?
Under Op Courage, the new NHS pathway for all veterans' mental health, there is an ability to monitor waiting times in almost real-time data, and I am absolutely committed to meeting those targets. There is significant investment going into it. I will always argue for more investment in something that has historically been underinvested in for so long. But I am confident that, as we stand here today, we have a world-class offering of mental health provision for our veterans.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments to address increased demand and waiting times were not detailed beyond general statements
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has seen the use of emerging military technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and traditional artillery.
How have the emerging military technologies used in the ongoing conflict impacted my right hon. Friend's Department's assessment of threats, ahead of the integrated review?
The recent conflict demonstrated the lethal impact of unmanned aerial vehicles and traditional artillery when combined. This has shown vulnerabilities in armoured forces which cannot be ignored.
Assessment & feedback
Specific action to address these developments was not detailed
Not Willing To Ignore Any Further
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Janet Daby Lab
Lewisham East
Context
My constituent Anoosheh Ashoori is held in Iran as diplomatic leverage, linked to the £400 million International Military Services debt owed by the UK.
What action will be taken urgently to resolve the detainment of dual nationals and repay the debt to Iran?
The intention is to comply with court orders but actions must also adhere to UK law and sanctions.
Assessment & feedback
Specific action steps not provided
Must Be In Line With Both This Law And The Sanctions Law
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
The BAE Systems site in Warton employs over 6,000 people and is critical to UK defence capability.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the Team Tempest project must be provided with backing to ensure certainty for its future?
Warton plays a key role in combat air sector and Tempest is crucial, with over 1,800 engineers involved now.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to specific backing not provided
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Catherine McKinnell Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Context
The north-east sends a higher proportion of people into the armed forces but faces high unemployment levels.
Will the Government commit to ensuring that all areas of potential disadvantage are addressed for north-east veterans in the Armed Forces Bill?
The Armed Forces Bill is an opportunity to enshrine the armed forces covenant, and level up veteran experience.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment not provided
Start Of The Process
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
Hundred families at Lyneham are facing eviction from Annington homes.
Will the Minister instruct officials to look into what can be done about the utilities complication for these families?
Advice is being shared with Annington to facilitate the transfer of supply and potential sales to social housing providers.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Julian Lewis Con
New Forest East
Context
A small cohort of war widows have lost their pensions due to remarriage or cohabitation.
What progress is the Department making in addressing this issue?
The Secretary of State works tirelessly on this issue and examines all possibilities, including ex gratia schemes.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or method not provided
Tireless Campaigning
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
The MOD's definition of 'content' includes work carried out for UK companies by US subsidiaries.
Will the Minister publish how he defines UK content in the F-35 programme?
The MOD's definition of 'content' is by value, and we are proud of UK manufacturing contributions.
Assessment & feedback
Clear definition not provided
Answered In Parliamentary Questions
Response accuracy