The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the designed operational life of HMS Vanguard.
Earl Howe
In common with most Royal Navy ships and submarines, the initial operational life planning estimate for the Vanguard class submarines was 25 years. The planning estimates of in-service life for all defence platforms are routinely reviewed and amended when appropriate.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-12-10.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of different elements of embarked carrier squadrons working to different harmony rules and whether it will affect deck qualifications such as that for night flying.
Earl Howe
When necessary to deliver the carrier strike programme, embarked jointly manned F-35B air squadrons will operate to the same harmony guidelines.
Deck qualifications will not be affected by harmony rules.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-02-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether UK personnel have been involved in military targeting planning meetings in Libya.
Earl Howe
We continue to engage with the Libyan authorities to support the UN political process and to counter the growth of extremist groups in Libya, including Daesh. The UK is considering, alongside our partners, how we can best support the new government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-03-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have a plan in place to rebuild the lost capacity in the UK to design and build civil nuclear reactors.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Government has established a policy framework that facilitates new nuclear build in the UK. Within that framework it is for developers to propose and deliver projects. Government’s focus in relation to UK capacity and capability is to maximise UK content in the supply chain for new build. To that end Government works closely with industry to develop the skills and supply chain capability to meet the demands of the new build programme, including through bodies like the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) and with organisations like the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Centre (NAMRC), which helps UK companies win work in the civil nuclear sector.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-04-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 23 March (HL6981), whether they can confirm that the date by which all six destroyers will be fully operational is still unknown.
Earl Howe
All Type 45 Destroyers remain in the operational cycle and continue to be routinely deployed. The Type 45 power and propulsion improvement programme is currently considering a number of technical options and delivery models with competing industrial partners. The programme is not yet mature enough to confirm when the equipment upgrade will be completed.
Funding for the Type 45 power and propulsion improvement programme is to be contained within the budget allocated to Navy Command.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-07-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what hard evidence they have collected that Daesh is using small commercial drones for surveillance and for conveying explosives.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government has a range of material, including images, that provides evidence that Daesh has used small, commercially available unmanned aerial vehicles in Syria and Iraq to extend their surveillance capability, produce propaganda material and carry small improvised explosive devices.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 12 September (HL1533), whether work has commenced on the third Offshore Patrol Vessel contracted for in August 2014; and if not, why not.
Earl Howe
Construction of the third Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS TRENT, began in October 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when construction of the first new SSBN ballistic missile submarine will start at Barrow.
Earl Howe
Whole Boat construction of the first Successor submarine is expected to begin in 2016 subject to the programme’s investment decision
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord West of Spithead on 2015-12-14.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend, before the Scottish general election, to table a debate in the House of Commons on the decision to build the Vanguard-class replacement.
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 the Successor submarine. 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 2016-02-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are bound to consult or seek the approval of Parliament before undertaking aircraft or drone air strikes in Libya.
Earl Howe
The Government is committed to the convention that, before UK troops are committed to conflict, Parliament should have an opportunity to debate the matter except when there is an emergency and such action would not be appropriate.