All Royal Navy major surface combatants have integral medical facilities capable of receiving and treating casualties. The availability and scale of these is dependent on operational tasking. Both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, all the Type 45 destroyers and the three Bay Class RFAs are capable of delivering consultant-led pre- and deployed hospital patient care. This comprehensive facility is also incorporated into the design of Type 26 City-class Frigates.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

A number of options continue to be reviewed for accommodating patients with COVID-19. Whilst cruise ships may provide one option for supporting patient beds, the configuration of cruise ship bedrooms make the treatment of patients with COVID-19 potentially more difficult with regard to staffing.

DFID and the Ministry of Defence already work closely together deploying ships to respond to humanitarian emergencies. For example, following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas last September, RFA Mounts Bay played a critical role in the UK response.

The integrated review is the deepest review of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policy since the end of the Cold War.

It will establish the strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy, determining the capabilities and structural reforms needed to meet those aims and how we will work with international partners and organisations to promote the UK’s interests around the world.

No decision has been made on the construction or operation of a UK hospital ship, and we will continue to ensure that UKaid is deployed in a way that maximises value for money for development and the UK taxpayer.

DFID and the Ministry of Defence already work closely together to respond to humanitarian emergencies including using ships for relief efforts. For example, following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas last September, RFA Mounts Bay played a critical role in the UK response.

As set out in the UK Humanitarian Reform Plan, the UK Government is committed ensuring a bigger, better, faster response capability which is able to respond to a range of different natural disasters.

No decision has been made on the construction or operation of a UK hospital ship, and we will continue to ensure that UKaid is deployed in a way that maximises value for money for development and the UK taxpayer.

DFID and the MoD already work closely together to respond to humanitarian emergencies. For example, following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas last September, RFA Mounts Bay played a critical role in the UK response.

As set out in the UK Humanitarian Reform Plan, the UK Government is committed ensuring a bigger, better, faster response capability which is able to respond to a range of different natural disasters. This includes a continued commitment to use our military assets to deliver humanitarian aid whenever appropriate, in accordance with UN guidelines.

No decision has been made on the construction or operation of a UK hospital ship, and we will continue to ensure that UKaid is deployed in a way that maximises value for money for development and the UK taxpayer.

DFID and the MoD already work closely together to respond to humanitarian emergencies. For example, following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas last September, RFA Mounts Bay played a critical role in the UK response.

As set out in the UK Humanitarian Reform Plan, the UK Government is committed ensuring a bigger, better, faster response capability which is able to respond to a range of different natural disasters. This includes a continued commitment to use our military assets to deliver humanitarian aid whenever appropriate, in accordance with UN guidelines.

No decision has been made on the construction or operation of a UK hospital ship, and we will continue to ensure that UKaid is deployed in a way that maximises value for money for development and the UK taxpayer.

DFID and the MoD already work closely together to respond to humanitarian emergencies. For example, following Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas last September, RFA Mounts Bay played a critical role in the UK response.

As set out in the UK Humanitarian Reform Plan, the UK Government is committed ensuring a bigger, better, faster response capability which is able to respond to a range of different natural disasters. This includes a continued commitment to use our military assets to deliver humanitarian aid whenever appropriate, in accordance with UN guidelines.

No decision has been made on the construction or operation of a UK hospital ship, and we will continue to ensure that UKaid is deployed in a way that maximises value for money for development and the UK taxpayer.

RFA ARGUS is the Ministry of Defence's Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. The consideration of options to deliver the capabilities provided by ARGUS after she leaves service remains ongoing.

RFA ARGUS is the Ministry of Defence's Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. The consideration of options to deliver the capabilities provided by ARGUS after she leaves service remains ongoing.

As an ambitious and innovative department, we are always looking for ways to collaborate across government to ensure UK aid reaches those who need it the most, while also delivering in our national interest. It is therefore right that we explore innovative new options, and as part of this we are exploring the potential merits of a cross government maritime capability.

I am committed to demonstrating how UK aid and the UK Armed Forces can work closely together to achieve the best outcomes for the UK and identify “win-wins” for both departments. It is therefore right that we explore innovative new options, and as part of this we are currently considering the potential merits of a cross government maritime capability.

To date we have had no discussions with the US Department for Defense on US hospital ships and lessons for procurement and specification of a UK hospital ship.

In accordance with the National Shipbuilding Strategy, UK hospital ships procured by the Royal Navy are not warships.

The Ministry of Defence's requirement for a hospital ship is provided by RFA ARGUS. The consideration of options to deliver the capability provided by ARGUS after she leaves service remains ongoing.

Both DFID’s Directors General for Policy, Humanitarian and Research and DFID’s Director for Humanitarian, Migration and Security have held discussions with their counterparts at the MoD to discuss the proposal; a senior official-led DFID-MOD working group has met on two occasions and a series of more junior official level discussions have taken place between DFID’s Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Division and the Ministry of Defence. A further senior cross-Whitehall workshop is planned this week.

This builds on broader collaboration between DFID and the Ministry of Defence, including on the establishment of the Humanitarian Innovation Hub, and on taking a joined up approach to building stability in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

Both DFID’s Directors General for Policy, Humanitarian and Research and DFID’s Director for Humanitarian, Migration and Security have held discussions with their counterparts at the MoD to discuss the proposal; a senior official-led DFID-MOD working group has met on two occasions and a series of more junior official level discussions have taken place between DFID’s Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Division and the Ministry of Defence. A further senior cross-Whitehall workshop is planned this week.

This builds on broader collaboration between DFID and the Ministry of Defence, including on the establishment of the Humanitarian Innovation Hub, and on taking a joined up approach to building stability in fragile and conflict-affected regions.