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 the Government has had with the Russian government on cultural events.

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, how many (a) establishment and (b) strength personnel of (i) 6 SCOTS and (ii) 7 SCOTS have failed a medical in each year from 2012 to 2015.

Mr Julian Brazier

Army medicals result in the allocation of a graded "medical deployability standard" reflecting those active roles for which personnel are declared fit. It is not a simple pass or fail. Unlike their regular counterparts, Army Reserve personnel do not undertake annual medical assessments. The only mandatory medicals are during the recruitment process and during mobilisation. The medical care of Reserve personnel lies with their General Practitioners and the National Health Service unless they are mobilised at which point the medical care responsibility transfers to the Defence Medical Services.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Question 21228, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Letter of Request sent to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Mr Philip Dunne

It would be inappropriate for the Department to place a copy of the Letter of Request in the Library of the House, as it contains commercially sensitive information. Making the information publicly available would undermine the US and UK Governments’ commercial position and hence jeopardise the Department’s ability to ensure value for money.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department keeps a record of former employees of the Ministry of Defence who are now serving in foreign militaries.

Mark Lancaster

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) holds records of former employees of the MOD who have applied to serve in foreign militaries under the Business Appointments process. However, it is not known if these individuals went on to take up the appointment.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Tornados and (b) Typhoons are fitted with the TCAAS II Collision Warning System.

Mr Philip Dunne

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 3 February 2016 to Question 24361 and on 1 February 2016 to Question 24213, to the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Ms Thornberry).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the Russian government’s position on the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Lidington

A strong, unified European Union has a critical role to play in responding to Russian aggression in Ukraine, which has challenged stability and security on the continent. The UK has played a leading role in pressing for tough EU sanctions, delivering a cost to Russia for its actions and supporting the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. It is likely that Russia would seek to exploit the UK leaving the EU in order to sow disunity amongst Member States and weaken their resolve. This reinforces the Government’s view that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the time taken in Block 3F testing of the F-35B Lightning II mission systems software on the planned commencement of formal initial operational test and evaluation development of that aircraft.

Mr Philip Dunne

The development and associated flight testing of the Block 3F software is due to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2017. This will allow operational test and evaluation to commence in time to support 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.