Tag: Douglas Chapman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2015-10-29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Russian government on strengthening cultural links between Russia and Scotland.

Mr David Lidington

The UK and Russia have a long history of cultural collaboration that encourages and strengthens people-to-people links.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports the annual ‘Days of Scotland’ cultural festival in Russia, and is hosting a reception at the Consulate General in St Petersburg this year. FCO officials have discussed Scotland’s cultural and and people-to-people links with Russian Government officials.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which military assets provide fisheries protection within the UK’s exclusive economic zone.

Penny Mordaunt

The River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels HMS TYNE and HMS SEVERN and the Survey Vessel HMS ECHO currently provide the Royal Navy’s contribution to fishery protection duties within the United Kingdom’s exclusive economic zone.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he and the Secretary of State for Defence met in a 2 plus 2 bilateral meeting with their Russian counterparts.

Mr David Lidington

The then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble friend the Lord Hague of Richmond and the then Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met their Russian counterparts at the UK-Russia Joint Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue in London on 13 March 2013. The Government suspended the ‘2+2’ format and wider military cooperation with Russia following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Fleet Ready Escort will meet the Russian ship Mikhail Dudin as he passes through the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Penny Mordaunt

I am withholding details of our capabilities and programmes as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which assets of his Department took part in the rescue of MV Verity on 29 January 2016.

Penny Mordaunt

No assets from the Ministry of Defence took part in the rescue of the MV Verity on 29 January 2016. There were no Royal Navy ships in the immediate vicinity.

His Netherlands Majesty’s Ship De Ruyter responded while in the area undergoing training and assisted the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ministry of Defence (a) military and (b) civilian personnel are based at the Muwaffaq airbase in Jordan.

Penny Mordaunt

There are no Ministry of Defence personnel based at the Muwaffaq airbase in Jordan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the stability of radar sensors in the F-35B Lightning II Fighter.

Mr Philip Dunne

The UK is fully involved in the development/test cycle for the F-35 radar sensors. As new functionality is added in line with the development schedule, there can be an initial reduction in software stability. Software fixes have been identified to improve stability and are planned to enter flight test during the next month. The development and performance of the radar remains on track to meet the UK’s planned Initial Operating Capability of December 2018.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the (a) first and (b) last Hawk jet is scheduled to be delivered to Saudi Arabia; and how many (i) RAF personnel, (ii) RAF personnel seconded to BAE and (iii) BAE personnel will be involved in the Hawk jet training programme in that country.

Mr Philip Dunne

The first two of 22 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers ordered by the Royal Saudi Air Force in May 2012 were delivered to Saudi Arabia on 06 April 2016. The remaining aircraft are scheduled for delivery by mid-2017. The RSAF agreed to purchase a further 22 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers in December 2015, but the arrangements for the delivery of these aircraft have yet to be finalised. There are 40 personnel contracted to BAE Systems providing Hawk flying training in Saudi Arabia, including one individual seconded from the RAF.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-06-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether HMS Lancaster is in a state of extended readiness.

Mr Philip Dunne

HMS LANCASTER is presently alongside in Portsmouth and is maintained with a minimal Ship’s Company on board until her refit.The Royal Navy has determined that HMS LANCASTER is not required as a training platform ahead of her refit, therefore a number of her Ship’s Company have been redeployed in support of operational units and tasks.

Such planned programming enables the Royal Navy to optimise the use of its ships and personnel through the operational cycles. The normal operating cycle of every ship includes periods of low readiness, and a number of ships will enter periods of ‘low’ or ‘very low’ readiness depending on their programmes and departmental planning requirements. It remains Ministry of Defence policy not to publish details of the readiness states of individual Royal Navy vessels for reasons of safeguarding national security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-09-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) assets and (b) personnel of his Department were involved in Exercise Northern Coasts in the Baltic Sea in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning

During 2015 and 2016 one Sandown Class Mine Counter Measures Vessel, with a ship’s company of 43 and 40 personnel respectively, was sent on Exercise Northern Coasts in the Baltic Sea. No assets or personnel were involved in the previous three years.