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 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation on 21 November (HCWS376), what proportion of the funding announced for the UK R&D sector they expect will be allocated to universities in Scotland; and what steps they are taking to ensure that universities in Scotland receive their full share of R&D funding.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government’s priority is to support the UK’s world class R&D sector. We have put in place this additional funding to shore up talent and invest in R&D infrastructure across the UK, while also aiming to secure the UK fusion sectors’ commercial leadership and capabilities.
We are committed to levelling up and where funding delivered via UKRI is England only, there will be an additional funding allocation for the Devolved administrations. The approach to funding distribution is being developed and my Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation has written to DA colleagues on this matter. Further details will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect Afghan refugees from harassment in the hotels and other temporary accommodation in which they reside.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
We take the safety and welfare of the people we accommodate very seriously.
The Home Office have contracted Mitie to provide security to all bridging hotels that we are using to temporarily accommodate guests evacuated from Afghanistan, ensuring guards are available on all entry and exit points 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . All security guards in our bridging hotels are in unbranded uniform. Security at the sites remain under constant review.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United States of America regarding its review of its nuclear arms policy.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Nuclear cooperation remains an important element of the enduring special relationship between the US and the UK. The Foreign and Defence Secretaries hold regular discussions with their US counterparts on a range of issues, including on security policy. These discussions are reflected and supported by daily cooperation at official level on arms control, nuclear deterrence policy, counter proliferation and strategic stability between the UK and the US, as well as by wider cooperation with NATO Allies. We will continue to work closely with the US on security policy, including nuclear deterrence policy.
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 Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for the reform of the World Trade Organisation.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The UK champions rules-based multilateral trade, and strongly supports the Director-General of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) efforts to drive forward reform. WTO reform has been a central aspect of this year’s G7 Trade Track discussions, which are seeking to build momentum and common ground ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference. We are actively participating in discussions through bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral channels, including the G20 and Ottawa Group.
Examples of specific proposals include our co-sponsorship of a proposal at the WTO Council for Trade in Goods to enhance WTO monitoring and transparency requirements, co-sponsorship of the Ottawa Group’s Trade and Health proposal, and submission of textual proposals to the E-Commerce Joint Initiative negotiations.
Asked by: Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges by Ofsted, published on 10 June, what steps they are taking to discourage sexual harassment of young people in schools and colleges.
Answered by Baroness Berridge
The department has already introduced the new compulsory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. From next term we expect the RSHE curriculum to be implemented in full. School leaders have been asked to dedicate time from INSET days to consider how best to do this.
The department is updating statutory guidance for Keeping Children Safe in Education for this September. This will ensure schools have even clearer guidance on how to deal with reports of sexual abuse. It will support teachers and other school staff to spot the signs of abuse and to respond quickly, sensitively, and appropriately to children and young people.
We will also be investing additional money to further test the impact of support and supervision models for designated safeguarding leads in up to 500 more schools.