Tag: Lord West of Spithead

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will encourage the flying of the White Ensign from public and private buildings to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Jutland on 31 May.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Any organisation may fly any flag at any time so long as they have the necessary planning permission. Public and Private buildings are free to fly the White Ensign to commemorate the Battle of Jutland if they wish.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-09-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many fixed-wing jet trainees are projected to graduate from the Ascent Flight Training programme between 2016 and 2019; and when the programme is due to be fully up and running.

Earl Howe

It is anticipated that 118 fixed wing jet trainees will graduate from the Ascent Flight Training programme between 2016 and 2019. All elements of the recently contracted UK Military Flying Training System are due to be fully up and running by April 2019.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the planned build rate of the Type 26 frigate.

Earl Howe

The statement made on 23 November 2015 in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Official Report, column 1049) set out the Government’s commitment to build eight Type 26 anti-submarine warfare ships, preceded by two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), as well as the intent to develop a new light frigate programme.

We have now begun detailed work to take forward the programme outlined by the Prime Minister. The impact of building the two additional OPVs on the Type 26 programme schedule, including the timing of the award of the contract to build the ships and their build schedule, will be central to this work. In due course, a revised programme will be produced and be considered through the normal investment approvals process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-12-08.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the last RAF Tornado GR4 navigator completed their training.

Earl Howe

Tornado GR4 Weapons Systems Officers (navigators) continue to be trained until the projected completion of the final course in March 2017.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-01-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 December 2015 (HL4575), whether they plan to hold the debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and their plans for the Successor submarine before or after the Scottish general election.

Earl Howe

Her Majesty’s Government has confirmed it will hold a debate in Parliament on the principle of Continuous at Sea Deterrence and our plans for Successor. A decision on when it will be held will be taken in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many orders for major surface warships have been made since the last General Election.

Earl Howe

None.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-23.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many major surface warships were ordered between the 2010 general election and the 2015 general election.

Earl Howe

Her Majesty’s Government did not order any major surface warships between the 2010 and 2015 general elections. However, the work to deliver the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers continued during this period and in August 2014 we placed an order for three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), which will provide valuable capability to the Royal Navy and sustain the skills needed to build the Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

Since the 2015 general election, the White Paper ‘National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015’ (Cmd 9161) has set the Government’s commitment to build eight anti-submarine Type 26 Global Combat Ships, preceded by two additional OPVs, and to launch a concept study and then design and build a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigate. Additionally, the White Paper confirmed we will buy three new logistic ships to support the fleet, in addition to the four Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability tankers ordered in 2012.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 25 April (HL7482), whether views have been expressed by non-executive members of any Service Boards to the Permanent Secretary about rebalancing funds between the fighting environments.

Earl Howe

Non-executive members of Service Boards are able to offer their views on defence matters to the Permanent Secretary. We do not comment on the detail of internal discussions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-09-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much Ascent Flight Training has been fined for failing to deliver an adequate service since it signed the 25-year contract with the Ministry of Defence.

Earl Howe

Up to June 2015, £308,000 was deducted from payments to Ascent Flight Training. No further deductions have been made since that time.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, whether they plan for the Royal Navy to have a two-tier escort force in the future.

Earl Howe

In addition to setting out the Government’s commitment to build eight Type 26 anti-submarine warfare ships, the statement by the Prime Minister on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Official Report, column 1049 dated 23 November 2015) announced the launch of a concept study for a new class of lighter, flexible general purpose frigates, so that by the 2030s we can further increase the total number of frigates and destroyers. This study will consider the utility of the new frigate within the wider force structure across the spectrum of tasks the Royal Navy undertakes.