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To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 23 March (HL5737), how many years at sea in aircraft carriers the Head of Carrier Enabled Power Projection has served; and how many years at sea, in aircraft-carrying warships, the Senior Responsible Owners for...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 23 March (HL5737), how many years at sea in aircraft carriers the Head of Carrier Enabled Power Projection has served; and how many years at sea, in aircraft-carrying warships, the Senior Responsible Owners for...
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether army veterans based in Northern Ireland will benefit from the £25 million healthcare fund for aged veterans announced in the Budget, and if so, how.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether army veterans based in Northern Ireland will benefit from the £25 million healthcare fund for aged veterans announced in the Budget, and if so, how.
The UK's ex-Service community is largely elderly; almost half are over age 75 and 64% are over age 65. It is important that this country meets their needs, just as they answered the needs of their country; meeting the call of the nation during the First and Second World Wars, through national service, voluntary enlistment and the reserve forces.
To support this community, £5 million of LIBOR funding has been made available every year for the next five years for any UK veterans who are surviving World War Two veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who, by virtue of their age, may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.
The funds will not provide benevolence payments to individuals. Charities can bid for money to provide practical support and/or companionship to this group of veterans to improve their wellbeing. This might also include projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet, or to promote the education of elderly veterans' needs, research and other support mechanisms.
The Ministry of Defence intends to administer the fund through a dedicated grant scheme. The terms of this scheme are being developed and will be announced in due course.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the present arrangements for detecting and shadowing non-NATO naval units which may enter the United Kingdom’s territorial waters without prior authority.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the present arrangements for detecting and shadowing non-NATO naval units which may enter the United Kingdom’s territorial waters without prior authority.
My Lords, this Government take security of our maritime boundaries very seriously. Our Armed Forces have a multilayered submarine detection capability, using highly effective assets including frigates, submarines and anti-submarine helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft support from NATO allies. We, in turn, often support them when they have capability shortfalls. It is routine for NATO allies to support each other in this way and demonstrates one of the benefits to the UK of NATO membership.
My Lords, this Government take security of our maritime boundaries very seriously. Our Armed Forces have a multilayered submarine detection capability, using highly effective assets including frigates, submarines and anti-submarine helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft support from NATO allies. We, in turn, often support them when they have capability shortfalls. It is routine for NATO allies to support each other in this way and demonstrates one of the benefits to the UK of NATO membership.
My Lords, this Government take security of our maritime boundaries very seriously. Our Armed Forces have a multilayered submarine detection capability, using highly effective assets including frigates, submarines and anti-submarine helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft support from NATO allies. We, in turn, often support them when they have capability shortfalls. It is routine for NATO allies to support each other in this way and demonstrates one of the benefits to the UK of NATO membership.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the present arrangements for detecting and shadowing non-NATO naval units which may enter the United Kingdom’s territorial waters without prior authority.
My Lords, we have a robust range of measures for detecting and shadowing non-NATO vessels that may seek to enter our territorial waters without authority. We continue to develop new detection capabilities to maintain our operational advantage. SDSR 2015 will allow us to review the full spectrum of submarine detection capability, including maritime patrol aircraft. Meanwhile, RAF air crew are flying in allied MPA to retain the skills to regenerate the capability, should we decide to do so.
My Lords, we have a robust range of measures for detecting and shadowing non-NATO vessels that may seek to enter our territorial waters without authority. We continue to develop new detection capabilities to maintain our operational advantage. SDSR 2015 will allow us to review the full spectrum of submarine detection capability, including maritime patrol aircraft. Meanwhile, RAF air crew are flying in allied MPA to retain the skills to regenerate the capability, should we decide to do so.
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply. Is he really satisfied, though, with the maritime patrol aircraft arrangements that he described? Are those arrangements permanent, or does he have some better plans for the future?
My Lords, on the first part of his question, I agree with the noble Lord about the National Maritime Information Centre, but he will know that I cannot answer the second part of his question.
My Lords, on the first part of his question, I agree with the noble Lord about the National Maritime Information Centre, but he will know that I cannot answer the second part of his question.
My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the National Maritime Information Centre, established by the last Government but funded since then by the current Government, gives very good situational awareness of our waters, but we need assets to track and monitor things. Normally we have three offshore patrol vessels; one is in the West Indies, filling in because we do not have enough destroyers and frigates. We have only one frigate in UK waters, acting as the fleet ready escort—only one, in a great maritime nation such as ours. That shortage of assets is bad.
My question, though, relates to the helicopters that he talked about. I asked two years ago, a year ago, and I ask again now: has the Merlin Mk2 incorporated fully the ASW capabilities of the MRA4 Nimrod? Each of the previous times the Minister said, “Yes we’re doing it, yes we’re doing it”. Have we done it?
My Lords, I assure the noble and gallant Lord that this will be a matter that SDSR 15 looks at very closely.
My Lords, I assure the noble and gallant Lord that this will be a matter that SDSR 15 looks at very closely.
My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord West, about the numbers of destroyers and frigates. The fact is that the size of our destroyer and frigate force is inadequate to meet all the tasks demanded of it both by NATO and nationally. Indeed, a number of important tasks have been gapped over the years, including the Article 5 operation in the eastern Mediterranean, and of course we have increasing threats as we speak. What are the Government doing, and what will they do, to ensure that the current inadequate number of destroyers and frigates does not drop below 19 and that the destroyer/frigate force actually increases in size?
My Lords, I am sure my noble friend will appreciate that for reasons of national security I cannot discuss the detail of such events, as to do so could allow conclusions to be drawn on the UK’s capabilities. However, I can reassure the noble Lord, Lord West, and my noble friend that we take the security of our maritime boundaries very seriously.
My Lords, I am sure my noble friend will appreciate that for reasons of national security I cannot discuss the detail of such events, as to do so could allow conclusions to be drawn on the UK’s capabilities. However, I can reassure the noble Lord, Lord West, and my noble friend that we take the security of our maritime boundaries very seriously.
My Lords, I realise that this is a very sensitive area, but I do think that the public and Parliament are entitled to a little more information in this area and that the Minister and the MoD should not shelter behind generalisations. Specifically, how does Russian submarine activity off our shores compare with activity off the shores of our allies? Secondly, is the Russian activity increasing and, thirdly, is it very much focused on Faslane and our deterrent capability?
My Lords, again, I am sorry to disappoint the noble Lord; I cannot discuss this issue, but I can tell him that defence is a reserved issue and is not the business of the Scottish Government. We will not compromise on the defence of the United Kingdom.
My Lords, again, I am sorry to disappoint the noble Lord; I cannot discuss this issue, but I can tell him that defence is a reserved issue and is not the business of the Scottish Government. We will not compromise on the defence of the United Kingdom.
My Lords, I appreciate the sensitivity of this, but can the noble Lord go a bit further and tell us whether we have an estimate of activity around the waters of Scotland and whether the Scottish Government are aware of any problems of this nature? Although it is not a matter for them, it is a matter of interest to the people of Scotland.
My Lords, the severe pressure on the public finances in 2010 and the urgent need to bring the defence programme into balance meant that we could not retain all our existing programmes and that we had to prioritise between capabilities. The aircraft’s
future high support costs were a clear factor in that decision. It is also well known that the MRA4 project suffered from repeated delays and cost overruns, and was still suffering from technical problems in 2010.
My Lords, the severe pressure on the public finances in 2010 and the urgent need to bring the defence programme into balance meant that we could not retain all our existing programmes and that we had to prioritise between capabilities. The aircraft’s
future high support costs were a clear factor in that decision. It is also well known that the MRA4 project suffered from repeated delays and cost overruns, and was still suffering from technical problems in 2010.
My Lords, the Minister mentioned the SDSR. Under SDSR 2010, brutal cuts were made and Nimrods were physically destroyed. Would he now say that the Government regret the decision to destroy that amazing capability, which we could use right now?
My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very good point and I will make sure that my department passes that on to the Scotland Office.
My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very good point and I will make sure that my department passes that on to the Scotland Office.
My Lords, further to the Minister’s answer to my noble friend Lord Soley, we all understand that defence is a reserved matter, but would it not be sensible to let the First Minister of Scotland know the threats from Russia so that we get a more sensible policy in relation to the Trident nuclear deterrent?
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish, for the last five years for which figures are available, the costs to the United Kingdom defence budget of deploying military resources for humanitarian aid and assistance outside the United Kingdom and outside conflict zones.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish, for the last five years for which figures are available, the costs to the United Kingdom defence budget of deploying military resources for humanitarian aid and assistance outside the United Kingdom and outside conflict zones.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) assets are deployed from time to time to provide humanitarian aid and assistance worldwide. However, these are not core MOD activities and, in line with HM Treasury policy, the net additional cost of these operations is charged to the appropriate Government Department.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 10 March (HL5350), why the timescale for the transfer of the 18 unidentified flying object files from the Ministry of Defence to the National Archives has been delayed from the end of 2014, as...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 10 March (HL5350), why the timescale for the transfer of the 18 unidentified flying object files from the Ministry of Defence to the National Archives has been delayed from the end of 2014, as...
The schedule for the transfer of files from the Ministry of Defence to The National Archives consists of around 10,000 files per annum. The schedule is continually updated to take into account changes in priority and progress on different record sets. Additional processing requirements on the unidentified flying object files and focus on other Departmental records from the period 1982 - 1986 led to a change in the planned transfer date to late 2015 or early 2016. The Ministry of Defence will, however, continue to discuss with The National Archives if the 18 unidentified flying object files can be transferred earlier
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Provost and Security Services conducted an investigation into sightings of unidentified flying objects in West Wales during 1977.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Provost and Security Services conducted an investigation into sightings of unidentified flying objects in West Wales during 1977.
Any files relating to the West Wales sighting in 1977 will be held by the National Archives. Consequently, the Ministry of Defence holds no information on this incident.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many years the Head of Carrier Enabled Power Projection has spent serving on aircraft carriers.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many years the Head of Carrier Enabled Power Projection has spent serving on aircraft carriers.
Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) is a joint programme, bringing together the Carriers, F-35B aircraft and Merlin Crowsnest helicopters. The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for CEPP is the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Capability), who is directly accountable to the Permanent Under Secretary for Defence for the coherent delivery of the overall CEPP capability.
The principal skill set required by the SRO is leadership and experience in delivering complex programmes across Defence. Specialist experience of carrier air operations is provided by the individual SROs for the Carrier and F35B projects (Royal Navy and Royal Air Force officers, respectively), both of whom have significant experience of carrier air operations.
The CEPP SRO is also directly supported by a Programme Director (a Rear Admiral (aviator)), an Air Commodore, and a small joint staff with significant maritime and combat air experience.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated development cost for the Common Base Platform of the Scout family of military vehicles.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated development cost for the Common Base Platform of the Scout family of military vehicles.
The Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV) contract will provide 589 vehicles in six variants based on the Common Base Platform design concept. The contract with General Dynamics UK for the development of these vehicles amounts to £601 million (excluding VAT).
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which of the following vehicle types are still in service with the British Army and what were or are their anticipated out of service dates: Challenger 2, Driver Track Training Vehicle, Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles, Trojan, Titan, Warrior, Saxon, Samson, Spartan, Scimitar, Samaritan,...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which of the following vehicle types are still in service with the British Army and what were or are their anticipated out of service dates: Challenger 2, Driver Track Training Vehicle, Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles, Trojan, Titan, Warrior, Saxon, Samson, Spartan, Scimitar, Samaritan,...
The out of service dates of the vehicles specified are as follows:
Vehicle Type | Planned Out Of Service Date |
Challenger 2 | 2025 |
Driver Track Training Vehicle | 2025 |
Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle | 2040 |
Trojan | 2040 |
Titan | 2040 |
Warrior | 2025 |
Saxon | Out of service |
Samson | 2026 |
Spartan | 2026 |
Scimitar | 2026 |
Samaritan | 2026 |
Sultan | 2026 |
Snatch Land Rover (1, 1.5, 2 and Vixen variants) | Out of service |
Snatch Land Rover (2A and 2B variants) | 2024 |
Snatch Land Rover (Vixen Plus variant) | 2024 |
FV 430 | Out of service |
Mastiff | 2024 |
Jackal | 2030 |
Vector | 2015 |
Bulldog | 2030 |
Panther | 2037 |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the statement by the President of the European Commission Mr Jean-Claude Juncker that the European Union should have its own army; whether the statement was approved by the European Council; and whether they will renew their opposition to such a...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the statement by the President of the European Commission Mr Jean-Claude Juncker that the European Union should have its own army; whether the statement was approved by the European Council; and whether they will renew their opposition to such a...
Mr Juncker's statement was not approved by the EU Member States. The UK remains firmly opposed to centralised EU command or control over military forces, which remains a Member State competence, and has successfully kept the EU focused on strengthening its co-operation with NATO which holds primacy in defence matters.
The Prime Minister made this clear at the December 2013 European Council where strengthened EU-NATO partnership was agreed to be one of the key deliverables. It will be raised again as a fundamental agenda item at the June 2015 European Council where EU Member States will look for ways to further enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
The Government's views on this matter have been consistent and transparent and any attempt to form an 'EU army' would be blocked by the UK. We will continue to emphasise our views to partners and will remain vigilant on the issue.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to European Commission President Juncker's call for the formation of a European Union army.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to European Commission President Juncker's call for the formation of a European Union army.
Mr Juncker's statement was not approved by the EU Member States. The UK remains firmly opposed to centralised EU command or control over military forces, which remains a Member State competence, and has successfully kept the EU focused on strengthening its co-operation with NATO which holds primacy in defence matters.
The Prime Minister made this clear at the December 2013 European Council where strengthened EU-NATO partnership was agreed to be one of the key deliverables. It will be raised again as a fundamental agenda item at the June 2015 European Council where EU Member States will look for ways to further enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
The Government ' s views on this matter have been consistent and transparent and any attempt to form an 'EU army' would be blocked by the UK. We will continue to emphasise our views to partners and will remain vigilant on the issue.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, from 2009–10 to the latest year for which data are available, what was the annual number of hours flown by (1) Typhoon, (2) Tornado GR4, (3) Chinook, (4) Merlin Mk3, (4) C-130J, (5) C-17, (6) Apache, and (7) Merlin Mk1/2, aircraft.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, from 2009–10 to the latest year for which data are available, what was the annual number of hours flown by (1) Typhoon, (2) Tornado GR4, (3) Chinook, (4) Merlin Mk3, (4) C-130J, (5) C-17, (6) Apache, and (7) Merlin Mk1/2, aircraft.
Flying hours for financial years 2009-10 onwards are provided in the table below.
2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
Typhoon | 9,890 | 9,980 | 14,030 | 15,350 | 16,970 |
Tornado GR4 | 17,940 | 20,480 | 21,140 | 16,790 | 15,040 |
Chinook | 15,460 | 16,360 | 17,240 | 14,810 | 13,950 |
Merlin Mk3/3a | 6,490 | 6,610 | 7,240 | 6,900 | 5,520 |
Apache | 17,060 | 18,290 | 18,290 | 16,660 | 15,340 |
Merlin Mk1/2 | 6,460 | 7,030 | 5,920 | 6,340 | 5,960 |
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
For the C-130 and C-17 fleets I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 22 October 2014 (Official Report, column WA84).