The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what amount of investment (1) has been made to date, and (2) is estimated to be made, at Leuchars to equip the base for use by army units and associated personnel.
Earl Howe
To date approx £900,000 has been spent on enabling works.
Overall, the plan is to spend £8.5 million at Leuchars as part of the Army Basing Programme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-01-27.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many UK service personnel embedded with allied nations maritime patrol capabilities under the Seedcorn Initiative are flying the Boeing P-8 Poseidon; and what are the relevant allied nations in each instance.
Earl Howe
There are currently 20 RAF personnel in the Seedcorn programme operating P-8A, three pilots and 17 mission crew. All are based in the United States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions since Typhoon aircraft were deployed to RAF Lossiemouth such aircraft were required to use Leuchars as a diversionary airfield; how many such aircraft were involved on each occasion; and what the reasons were for those diversions.
Earl Howe
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Francois) on 5 January 2015 to Question number 219126. There have been no further occasions of Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth being required to divert to Leuchars.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-01-29.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions in the last 12 months and from which airfields aircraft of the Quick Reaction Alert have been scrambled, and for what purpose on every occasion.
Earl Howe
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby launched to intercept aircraft on 12 days in 2015.
I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of QRA and QRA is in turn an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the cost has been to date of all Typhoon Force-related works at RAF Lossiemouth; and what is the most recent estimate of the total cost of facilitating the future operation of the Typhoon Force and the Northern Quick Reaction Alert facility at that base.
Earl Howe
£80.6 million has been committed and will be spent on Typhoon-related works at RAF Lossiemouth. The total cost of facilitating the future operation of the Typhoon Force and the Northern Quick Reaction Alert facility at that base is still being reviewed following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 announcements.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-01-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with the Scottish Government about the future electrification of the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Lord Dunlop
UK and Scottish Government officials have regular discussions regarding transport policy, and the rail industry is undertaking studies to identify the best value cases for further route electrification in Scotland, England and Wales. The introduction of bi-mode intercity express trains on East Coast Scottish services from 2018 is expected to help the business case for electrification between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Base Optimisation Programme in Scotland has been completed.
Earl Howe
The Basing Optimisation Programme considered the tri-service basing and infrastructure requirements from the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010. In terms of detailed planning and implementation the programme is being delivered through separate projects which are expected to continue until 2021.
As part of the comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 the Ministry of Defence committed to reducing our estate by 30%. The plan for this is due to be announced later this year but so far my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans (Mark Lancaster) has already announced this year the disposal of 22 sites.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-02-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conclusions they have drawn from the recent study of the UK’s future rotary wing requirements carried out by the Joint Helicopter Command.
Earl Howe
The 2015 Air Manoeuvre Future Capability Study reviewed and confirmed a number of major assumptions made about Battlefield Helicopter capabilities in the Rotary Wing Strategy of 2009. These were further tested through the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 and in the Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study of 2011. These included:
Attack Helicopter capability will be sustained through the Apache Capability Sustainment Programme until at least 2040.
Rotary Wing Heavy Lift capability will be sustained through a Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme until at least 2040.
An opportunity exists to review the means by which medium lift capabilities are delivered from the mid-2030s, following the out of service dates for Puma Mk 2 and Merlin Mk 3/4. This will be examined initially through a capability investigation that will also consider the broader utility of unmanned aviation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-04-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their programme for the development of the Type 26 Frigate.
Earl Howe
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Philip Dunne), in the House of Commons on 11 April 2016 to Question 32497.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-03-24/32497/
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-02-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in the integration of female soldiers into close combat units in the Army.
Earl Howe
Women are currently excluded from serving in ground close combat roles in the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force Regiment. The Prime Minister stated on 20 December 2015 that he would like to see all roles in the Armed Forces opened up to women in 2016. Further physiological research currently under way will inform a final decision in mid-2016.
The review "Women in Ground Close Combat" has identified the principle of full integration as a vital element in generating cohesion in combat troops. The subsequent infrastructure work required is being considered as part of ongoing implementation planning, in the event that the exclusion is lifted. Early estimates from the 2014 research paper suggest that a fully integrated solution at the Army’s Infantry Training Centre at Catterick could cost up to £1.6 million. Once a final decision is taken, the Department will be able to identify and cost a fully integrated long-term solution as required.