Tag: Douglas Chapman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the cost of upgrading the mission software on F35B Lightning II aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force after the completion of Block 3F testing.

Mr Philip Dunne

The UK is part of a collaborative partnership on F-35 and therefore pays a shared contribution to the development of capability beyond the Block 3F capability. The cost of this activity, although provisionally estimated, has yet to be finalised with industry and is the subject of on-going discussion with the eight Partner Nations. As these costs will be the subject of commercial negotiations over the coming year, they cannot be made public at this time.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is considering (a) radial gap electrical propulsion motors and (b) permanent magnet motors for the propulsion systems for the successor-class SSBNs.

Harriett Baldwin

I am withholding information on the type of motors for the propulsion systems being considered for the Successor submarine programme for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2015-10-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the command structure at RAF Waddington is; and what the total payroll costs for senior officers were in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster

The total payroll costs for senior officers (Regular and Reserve personnel at RAF Waddington, holding the rank of Squadron Leader and above) for the previous five financial years are as follows:

	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Total Payroll Cost	£6.125 million	£6.161 million	£6.404 million	£6.127 million	£5.840 million

RAF Waddington’s command structure comprises Station Executives for each Wing and Squadron, who report directly to the Station Commander.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Tornado and Typhoon jets operating in the Iraq and Syria region are fitted with the TCASS II Collision Warning System.

Mr Philip Dunne

Six Tornado aircraft operating over Syria and Iraq are fitted with the Honeywell Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II, a system designed to de-conflict aircraft operating in civil airspace. This is the first system to be deployed in a combat jet fleet globally, although TCAS is not used in operational theatres for security reasons.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information he holds on whether the purchase of P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft through the US foreign military sales procedure will require US Congressional approval.

Mr Philip Dunne

All US foreign military sales cases are subject to normal US processes and procedures. As such, this will require congressional approval.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps diplomatic staff based at the British Embassy in Tehran are taking to increase trade between Iran and the UK.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

We want to help British businesses take advantage of the opportunities that economic re-engagement with Iran will bring. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) are engaging with UK businesses to provide support and assistance to help ensure they benefit from opportunities as they arise. UKTI now have a presence in the British Embassy in Tehran.

During his visit to Tehran in October, my noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his Iranian counterpart that sets the direction for our future economic and business relationship.

There is a desire on both sides to build a long-term bilateral relationship based on partnership, where trade and investment is a key pillar.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department will pay out of the public purse for the cost of repairs to the electrical and propulsion systems on the Daring Class Type 45 Destroyers.

Mr Philip Dunne

A number of early modifications were implemented under the Type 45 Destroyer Contract for Availability arrangement with BAE Systems, at no additional cost to the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The initial work to prove the concept of upgrading the diesel generators was co-funded by BAE Systems and the MOD. Subject to main gate approval, the upgrade will be funded by the MOD.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of email MA/DGMAA to Min(DPWV) private office 3 Dec 13 16:32.

Mark Lancaster

I have placed the requested documents in the Library of the House.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the viability of hydro pump storage energy solutions; and what support her Department makes available to that industry.

Andrea Leadsom

Energy storage is one way to provide flexibility to the energy system, alongside demand side response, interconnection and smarter networks. We continue to assess the potential for all forms of energy storage, including pumped hydro, to benefit the UK energy system.

More than £80m public sector controlled support has been committed to energy storage research, development and demonstration activities since 2012. This innovation funding has included DECC grant support for a UK pumped hydro storage developer to assess the potential location of new pumped hydro sites around Great Britain. The developer concluded that up to 15GW of novel pumped storage could be possible, using various criteria such as the presence of existing or potential reservoirs, grid connection distance and whether the site is in an environmentally sensitive area. Other pumped storage developers have independently identified over 1 GW of additional potential pumped storage.

We are also investigating the potential barriers to deployment of energy storage and possible mitigating actions. We are focussing in the first instance on removing policy and regulatory barriers. DECC plans to issue a call for evidence on a smart systems route map in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications are required to HMS Prince of Wales to make it suitable for use as an amphibious assault platform.

Mr Philip Dunne

In the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 we announced the intention to enhance a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier to support the UK’s amphibious capability. We are currently assessing the modifications that may be required and the optimum way to deliver these enhancements, which we expect will have utility in both carriers. As well as delivering their primary Carrier Strike role with F-35B Lightning II aircraft, the carriers will offer a significant basing option for the projection of air support to amphibious operations, including battlefield helicopter support to our Royal Marines or embarked military forces.