Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many battalions in the Royal Regiment of Scotland are currently under-strength and by how much.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This information is being withheld as it would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of UK Armed Forces, and could provide tactical advantage to hostile forces.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Ajax vehicles are currently in British service and how many remain to be delivered.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As at 19 March 2025, a total of 91 Ajax vehicles have been accepted by the Ministry of Defence. There are a further 498 platforms that remain to be delivered.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many F-35 aircraft are currently in service with the Royal Air Force and how many remain to be delivered.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question 37371 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 18 March 2025 in the House of Commons.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance the (1) welfare, and (2) safety, of female members of the armed forces.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am deeply concerned that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable and criminal sexual behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. I am clear there is no place for any abuse or unacceptable behaviours within the military. This Government is working hard to support our personnel, stamp out unacceptable behaviour and enhance the welfare and safety of female members of the Armed Forces. We are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform.
Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and a range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to, and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment, and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families.
In addition, all personnel now complete annual mandatory training to ensure they know and show the standards of behaviour and professionalism the Armed Forces expect. Those who believe they have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour are strongly encouraged to report it. All allegations are thoroughly investigated and if proven can lead to the termination of service of the perpetrator.
These changes are being embedded throughout our culture, policies, and enduring practices across every part of the Armed Forces. However, there is more work to do, and it is important to make lasting and effective change. This Government has stepped up efforts to bring about crucial reform and provide a place where people are proud to work and have faith in the Service Justice System. I expect that such change will give Service personnel the confidence they need to report sexual offences and inappropriate behaviours, knowing they will be listened to. I am clear that everyone must play a role in building and upholding the respectful, professional environment we all need to thrive.
To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond.
We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to eliminate (1) sexual harassment, (2) physical assault, and (3) bullying, suffered by female members of the armed forces.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated in the Armed Forces, and anyone failing to meet our values and standards will be dealt with robustly, including being subject to police investigations and dismissal where appropriate.
Defence is working to prevent and tackle all forms of unacceptable behaviour, including sexual harassment and bullying. In June 2021 we updated our policy on behaviour which sets out our expectations. We have issued an information booklet on sexual harassment, which includes guidance on how to recognise it and what to do if personnel experience, witness or wish to report it.
Mandatory training in the Armed Forces has been updated as recommended in the Wigston Review into inappropriate behaviour and we have introduced Active Bystander Training to equip people with the skills to intervene should they witness incidents. A training package is currently being developed to share the lived experience of all people within Defence more broadly. Defence is consistently communicating on matters related to culture and behaviour to drive change, using opportunities such as National Inclusion Week and Anti-Bullying Week to raise awareness.
Physical assault is likely to be a criminal offence – where any kind of physical assault is reported by individuals of any gender as a victim or witness, the Service Police will investigate it.
The forthcoming response to the HCDC Women in Defence report will deliver more detail on what work we are doing in Defence to improve the lived experience of women who serve.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) nominal, and (2) actual, strength of the individual battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Army Regular Trade Trained Strength at Regimental Duty against Workforce Requirement for The Royal Regiment of Scotland by Battalion as at 1st October 2020 can be found in the attached table.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) nominal, and (2)actual, strength of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Army Regular Trade Trained Strength at Regimental Duty against Workforce Requirement for Royal Scots Dragoon Guards as at 1st October 2020 can be found in the attached table:
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which military units are currently stationed at Leuchars Station.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Leuchars Station is currently home to The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and 2 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers.
In addition, the Station is home to elements of 71 Engineer Regiment and also No. 612 Squadron RAF, both Reserve Units. The East of Scotland University Air Squadron also operates from there.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to close Fort George; and where the military units currently stationed there will subsequently be stationed.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Defence remains committed to the disposal of Fort George, currently scheduled to take place in 2032. This disposal date is under continuous review as part of our assessment of the site, in-line with wider Defence scheduling and priorities.
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) will relocate to an alternative location in Scotland. Work is ongoing to establish the most suitable future location.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) nominal, and (2) actual, strength of the Royal Air Force.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The workforce requirement of the Royal Air Force is 31,869 and the actual strength is 29,853.
Such plans however are not static and the Department quite rightly assesses and revises workforce plans to make sure Defence has the right people, with the right skills, at the right time, in the right place to deliver for the UK.
The Prime Minister’s announcement on 19 November 2020 to increase Defence funding by £24.1 billion over the next four years marked the first outcome of the Integrated Review. The review is due to be published in early 2021 and further details of the new platforms, capabilities, programmes and personnel opportunities that stem from it will follow in due course.