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  • Fiona Bruce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Fiona Bruce – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Fiona Bruce on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the range of international operations being undertaken by the armed forces.

    Mike Penning

    British Forces are involved in more than 25 operations in over 20 countries. Backed by our rising Defence budget we are investing in the people and capabilities to ensure we continue to play a global role in order to keep our country safe.

  • Mike Wood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Mike Wood – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mike Wood on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, What the Government’s commitments are to fulfil its obligations under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty.

    Michael Fallon

    The principle of Article 5 – collective defence – is at the heart of NATO’s founding treaty. It is an enduring principle that binds NATO’s members together, and it is this unity that deters our adversaries.

    The United Kingdom is fully committed to fulfilling the duty placed on us by Article 5, as we have repeatedly demonstrated through our substantial and continued commitment in Afghanistan, and contributions to NATO’s Enhanced Response Forces, air policing missions, and standing naval forces.

  • Byron Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Byron Davies – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Byron Davies on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the future of volunteer gliding schools in Wales.

    Mark Lancaster

    I am fully supportive of Air Cadets having access to opportunities for gliding. To achieve this we require a laydown of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that meet the needs of all of our Cadets.

    However, we continue to consider if there are viable site options in Wales which can be explored further, and I am due to meet with my hon. Friend shortly to discuss this matter.

  • Michael Fabricant – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Michael Fabricant – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on delivering the UK’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced forward presence in eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement.

    Michael Fallon

    The UK will be the Framework Nation for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia. Detailed planning is now underway with NATO and our Estonian hosts, and with the Governments of France and Denmark, who have indicated that they will deploy forces alongside us.

    As agreed at the Warsaw Summit, our enhance Forward Presence forces will deploy in Spring 2017.

  • Natalie McGarry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Natalie McGarry – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Natalie McGarry on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his policy to keep open the Kinloss army barracks.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Ministry of Defence is continuing to review our estate to ensure it is smaller and more sustainable, this will allow us to focus on delivering future Defence capability and has enabled the investment in sites such as Lossiemouth and Faslane.

    Whilst no decision has been made on the future of Kinloss Barracks, Scotland will continue to be a vital home for our Armed Forces. However Scotland, like the rest of the UK, must expect some sites to close as well as investment in these other locations.

  • Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Ronnie Cowan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ronnie Cowan on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve nuclear safety at the Atomic Weapons Establishment to ensure that it no longer requires enhanced regulatory attention from the Office of Nuclear Regulation.

    Harriett Baldwin

    The Office for Nuclear Regulation has stated that safety at the Atomic Weapons Establishment remains acceptable. The enhanced regulatory attention relates to issues which do not pose any immediate safety concerns and the regulator is satisfied that work is well advanced to address these. The Ministry of Defence works closely with AWE, monitoring all aspects of its performance, including regulatory compliance.

  • David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2016-09-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent representations he has received on the work of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

    Mark Lancaster

    The Ministry of Defence has excellent relations with SSAFA and maintains regular contact with them; including through the Service Charities Partnership Board, which I will be attending on 18 October.

    I have received SSAFA’s recent report on Veterans welfare and I am considering the recommendations provided.

  • Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2016-09-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether any military equipment exported from the UK to India is being used against the civilians of Kashmir.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We are concerned to see reports of excessive violence against protesters in Kashmir.

    The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world.

    In light of media reports on the situation in Indian Administered Kashmir (IaK), we have undertaken checks regarding shotguns being licensed to the Indian Security Forces (ISF) in IaK covering the last 10 years. We are confident from these checks undertaken that no such weapon has been licensed to this specific force in IaK.

    All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant information available at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued, for any country, including India, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria, including where we assess there is a clear risk that the items might be used to facilitate internal repression.

    The Government is confident in our case by case assessment and routinely keeps factors relevant to the licensing of arms exports under active review. Ministers are consulted as necessary in the event of any significant changes in the circumstances relating to UK-licensed exports.

    Our export licensing system allows us to respond quickly to changed circumstances, with the option to suspend or revoke any licence where we consider this a necessary step.

  • Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2016-09-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that any civil or military co-operation between the UK and the government of India does not contribute to human rights abuses in Kashmir.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We are committed to working with India to deliver prosperity and security for our nations. This includes growing trade links, supporting economic reform, deepening our cooperation on security and counter terrorism, encouraging student exchange and strengthening bilateral links. We ensure that such cooperation supports the UK’s values and is consistent with our domestic and international human rights obligations.

  • Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Ahmed – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Ahmed on 2016-09-05.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that effective pressure is brought to bear on local government organisations in Jammu and Kashmir to expedite arrangements to treat civilians reportedly injured or hospitalised in violence in the state during July and August.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    I was saddened by reports of unrest and violence in Kashmir in July and August and again offer my condolences to the victims and their families. The UK abides by its commitments under international law and expects all countries to comply with their international legal obligations.