Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of China's aircraft carrier capabilities, both now and in the future.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
We continue to monitor and make assessments on a variety of international maritime capabilities that could pose a potential threat to UK interests both now and in the future. For security reasons we do not comment on specific assessments.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the programme to replace the UK nuclear deterrent.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
I refer the noble Lord to the statement I made to the House on 20 December 2017, (HLWS371) stating that the sixth report on the progress of the replacement programme was published and placed in the Library of the House. The report 'The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Dreadnought Programme, 2017 Update to Parliament' sets out that construction of the first of the new Dreadnought class submarines is under way and the build programme remains on time and within cost.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions in 2017 it was necessary to scramble Quick Reaction Alert aircraft; and, in each case, for what purposes those aircraft were scrambled.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby launched to intercept on 6 days in 2017.
I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of QRA, which 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.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 30 October (HL2257), how much is being paid in incentive payments for each specific element of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 30 October (HL2256), which elements of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham are (1) behind schedule, (2) on schedule, and (3) ahead of schedule.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
All elements of the infrastructure programme at RAF Marham are progressing well and are expected to be completed in time to meet the programme needs. I can confirm that most elements are on track, two are behind contract dates and one element is in delay, but this is not expected to affect the Initial Operating Capability date.
I am withholding further information relating to individual elements of the infrastructure programme as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many warships surplus to requirements they have sold to foreign governments in each year since 2000; what were their names; and to which governments they were sold.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Information on the sale of Her Majesty’s ships and submarines, together with Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels, can be found below.
Year | Ship Class | Name | Purchaser |
2000 | River Class Patrol | Orwell | Guyana |
2000 | Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure | Bicester | Greece |
2000 | Upholder Class Submarine | Unseen | Canada |
2000 | Island Class Patrol | Orkney | Trinidad & Tobago |
2001 | Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure | Berkeley | Greece |
2001 | Upholder Class Submarine | Unicorn | Canada |
2002 | Island Class Patrol | Shetland | Bangladesh |
2002 | Island Class Patrol | Alderney | Bangladesh |
2002 | Type 22 Frigate | Coventry | Romania |
2002 | Type 22 Frigate | London | Romania |
2003 | Upholder Class Submarine | Ursula | Canada |
2003 | Island Class Patrol | Anglesey | Bangladesh |
2003 | Island Class Patrol | Lindisfarne | Bangladesh |
2003 | Type 22 Frigate | Sheffield | Chile |
2004 | Island Class | Guernsey | Bangladesh |
2004 | Upholder Class Submarine | Upholder | Canada |
2006 | Type 23 Frigate | Norfolk | Chile |
2006 | Type 23 Frigate | Grafton | Chile |
2006 | Type 23 Frigate | Marlborough | Chile |
2007 | Sandown Class Mine Hunter | Sandown | Estonia |
2007 | Sandown Class Mine Hunter | Inverness | Estonia |
2007 | Sandown Class Mine Hunter | Bridport | Estonia |
2007 | Landing Ship Logistic (RFA) | Sir Galahad | Brazil |
2008 | Landing Ship Logistic (RFA) | Sir Belvedere | Brazil |
2008 | Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure | Cottesmore | Lithuania |
2008 | Hunt Class Mine Counter Measure | Dulverton | Lithuania |
2010 | Castle Class Patrol | Dumbarton C | Bangladesh |
2010 | Castle Class Patrol | Leeds C | Bangladesh |
2010 | Coastal Survey Vessel | Roebuck | Bangladesh |
2011 | Bay Class Landing Ship (RFA) | Largs Bay | Australia |
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect that the fleet of Boeing Poseidon P8 maritime aircraft will be fully operational.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Royal Air Force is due to take delivery of its first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in 2019, with the final one expected in 2021. We anticipate that the aircraft will then begin to operate from RAF Lossiemouth in 2020, with the fleet on track to be fully operational in 2024.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to take delivery of the first Boeing Poseidon P8 maritime patrol aircraft.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Royal Air Force is due to take delivery of its first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in 2019, with the final one expected in 2021. We anticipate that the aircraft will then begin to operate from RAF Lossiemouth in 2020, with the fleet on track to be fully operational in 2024.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional infrastructure will be required to accommodate the Boeing Poseidon P8 maritime patrol aircraft; and what is the estimated cost of doing so.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Dedicated P-8A infrastructure will be developed at RAF Lossiemouth. This integrated facility, which is expected to be operational by 2021, will include accommodation for two front line squadrons, an operational conversion unit with simulators, maintenance hangars, and a mission support centre.
As commercial negotiations are still ongoing in relation to this infrastructure, I am withholding information relating to estimated costs as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether infrastructure upgrades at RAF Marham to facilitate the arrival of the Lightning 2 jet aircraft are on schedule.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The overall infrastructure project is on schedule for completion.