Tag: Tom Watson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 12 September 2013, Official Report, column 798W, on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, whether changes to the Reaper Agreement pertaining to the UK Reaper Force Squadron have been finalised; and whether this Agreement will remain in force following the cessation of NATO International Security Force missions in Afghanistan.

Mr Mark Francois

The Memorandum of Understanding is still undergoing the review process. However, it will cover both the ISAF mission and any future wider NATO missions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many surveillance aircraft with capacity to intercept telephone or other electronic telecommunications his Department operates.

Mr Mark Francois

I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role her Department’s Centre for Applied Science and Technology has in (a) the trial of the Aeryon Skyranger drone around Gatwick Airport and (b) the trial or use of any other surveillance aircraft operated by government departments, agents or public bodies in the UK.

Karen Bradley

CAST has no direct role in the Gatwick trial, but does liaise with the trial
team in order to learn from their experience.

Trials conducted by other Departments and their agencies are matters for the
respective departments.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 940W, on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, whether UK personnel at Creech Airforce base will remain embedded following the cessation of NATO International Security Force missions in Afghanistan.

Mr Mark Francois

There are no longer any RAF personnel embedded with 432nd Wing of the US Air Force at Creech Airforce base.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel are stationed in Yemen; and what the (a) rank, (b) squadron and (c) function is of each officer stationed in that country.

Mr Mark Francois

There are two permanently based UK service personnel in Yemen. Both of these personnel are employed within the Defence Section at the British Embassy in Sana’a. There is one Army Colonel employed as the Defence Attaché and one Army Sergeant employed as the Assistant Defence Attaché. The role of the Defence Attaché is to command the Defence Section, to represent the Chief of the Defence Staff in Yemen and Eritrea and to advise HM Ambassador on defence and security matters The role of the Assistant Defence Attaché is to provide administrative support to the Defence Attaché.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether public communications providers have sought advice from her Department on the consequences of the decision of the European Court of Justice in Digital Rights Ireland and Seitlinger and Others on data retention by those companies.

James Brokenshire

The Government continues to consider the judgment of the European Court, but we consider that the UK Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations 2009 remain in
force. Those in receipt of a notice under the Regulations have been informed that they should continue to observe their obligations as outlined in any notice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Watson on 2014-06-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will restrict the use of fused multi-disciplinary intelligence at the forthcoming Joint and Combined Geo-INT event held by the Defence Geospacial Intelligence and Fusion Centre at RAF Wyton.

Mr Mark Francois

Sharing and fusing intelligence in an increasingly complex world is essential if we are to understand threats to UK interests. The Ministry of Defence intelligence community works closely with international partners in the fulfilment of this aim. Any intelligence sharing is conducted in accordance with UK law.