Tag: Julian Lewis

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which individual ships will fulfil the roles currently carried out by HMS Ocean when she is withdrawn from service; and what numbers of (a) amphibious forces and (b) helicopters are carried by (i) HMS Ocean and (ii) the substitute ships.

Mr Philip Dunne

As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm9161), we will enhance a Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier to support our amphibious capability. Together with existing amphibious ships of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, this will provide the capacity and capability to deploy our amphibious forces.

HMS OCEAN can carry up to 690 Embarked Military Forces (EMF) – Royal Marines and Aviation Group personnel – in addition to her ship’s company. She can deploy a variety of helicopter types in multiple combinations as required by her mission and role.

The QEC aircraft carriers can embark up to 900 EMF, in addition to their ship’s company, in support of their missions and tasks and a flexible mix of helicopters subject to the operational tasking.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the proportion of the total annual cost of energy bills in the UK which results from EU legal requirements.

Amber Rudd

My Department has made no estimate of the effect on annual energy bills in the UK resulting from EU legal requirements. Given that much of EU energy policy supports UK energy and climate objectives it is not possible to attribute particular cost elements of bills wholly to individual EU policies.

Much EU legislation helps to keep down the level of energy bills – EU energy market liberalisation and integration and legislation such as product standards to improve energy efficiency provide significant benefits to UK consumers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the potential benefits which investment in renewable energy generation methods can bring to developing countries; what research has been undertaken on how this might be achieved; what funding is proposed to be made available for this purpose; and if she will make a statement.

James Wharton

DFID’s energy work is aligned with the new Global Goals, particularly Goal 7, to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. DFID’s energy work is guided by international studies including, for example, by the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme based at the World Bank. Recent research by the International Renewable Energy Agency indicates that investment in renewable energy increases GDP, improves welfare, creates more jobs and shifts patterns of trade.

DFID provides significant funding to support renewable energy work, including through the UK Government’s International Climate Finance (ICF) allocation, as well as spend through multilateral funds, such as the Climate Investment Funds and the Green Climate Fund, which have significant renewable energy components.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which roles currently fulfilled by HMS Ocean will be carried out by HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales when they enter service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm9161), we will enhance a Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carrier to support our amphibious capability. Together with existing amphibious ships of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, this will provide the capacity and capability to deploy our amphibious forces.

HMS OCEAN can carry up to 690 Embarked Military Forces (EMF) – Royal Marines and Aviation Group personnel – in addition to her ship’s company. She can deploy a variety of helicopter types in multiple combinations as required by her mission and role.

The QEC aircraft carriers can embark up to 900 EMF, in addition to their ship’s company, in support of their missions and tasks and a flexible mix of helicopters subject to the operational tasking.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the original planned date was for cutting steel to begin for the first Type 26 Global Combat Ship; to what date this planned date has been moved; whether the cause of that change was (a) limited capacity of BAE Systems and its sub-contractors to meet the original schedule or (b) a decision to remove a significant sum from the annual T26 budget; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

No firm date has yet been set for cutting steel which will mark the start of the manufacture phase of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS) programme.

For equipment procurement programmes the cost and schedule is set at the main investment decision, and we have not yet reached that decision point.

The approval, in March 2016, of the Extended Demonstration Phase is consistent with the incremental approach to approvals we have adopted for the T26 GCS programme.

During the Demonstration Phase, we will continue to work with industry to re-baseline the programme in order to implement the changes resulting from the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, the investment in Shore Testing Facilities, extending investment in our wider supply chain as well as further developing the detailed design of the ship ahead of the main investment decision and the start of manufacture.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-10-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral Answer given on 19 October 2015, which moderate, non-Islamist groups with credible ground forces, other than Kurds, are fighting Daesh in Syria.

Michael Fallon

There are a number of moderate opposition forces focused on fighting the Assad regime. Many are also fighting ISIL in areas of strategic importance, for example north of Aleppo. The vast majority of these opposition groups are Islamist.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-01-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason her Department’s internal report on the impact of fracking on rural communities has been made public only in redacted form; what the criteria are for imposing such redactions; and if she will make it her policy to publish the report in full.

Dan Rogerson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw, John Mann, on 11 September 2014, Official Report, column 723W.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to retain on the site of the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood (a) 73 Training Squadron, (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary Centre, (c) REME workshops, (d) Motor Transport Department, (e) Mexeflote Storage and Maintenance Facility, (f) Hardstanding for container and vehicle storage and (g) Blast Shields for incoming munitions.

Mr Philip Dunne

The Marchwood transaction has been structured as a leasehold and concession to balance the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s objectives of ensuring continued sea mounting operational capability against increased commercialisation of the port. To this end, the MOD has committed to move facilities that are not essential to these services, off the main Port area over a three to five year ‘transitional’ period, from the start of the concession.

After this transition only MOD facilities associated with its maritime capability will remain on site: The Mexeflote Storage and Maintenance Facility and the Shipyard Workshop with 73 Training Squadron’s Maritime Store.

By complying with the military’s storage requirements, the new Marchwood Port Operator will provide sufficient hardstanding for all military inward and outward cargo under both routine and contingent operations.

The Sea Mounting Centre will continue to retain the ability to store and load ammunition for the military throughout the concession.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julian Lewis on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the site security arrangements made by the successful bidder for the lease on the Marchwood port site will be augmented by dedicated security arrangements administered by his Department.

Mr Philip Dunne

Under the Concession Agreement, the new Marchwood Port Operator will be responsible for the security of the site in accordance with the Cabinet Office Security Policy Framework, which may be augmented by Ministry of Defence security arrangements when necessary.