Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include information from their online guidance Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination: guidance for healthcare professionals, published 29 November, on consent forms for 12 to 15 year old children.

Answered by Lord Kamall

The UK Health Security Agency’s COVID-19 vaccination consent form for children and young people or parents and carers is part of a suite of materials, including an easy to read patient information leaflet, to assist an individual in making their decision about acceptance of vaccination. There are no plans to include information on the potential risks of the vaccine in the consent form, as this is available in the accompanying easy-read leaflet and importance is placed on making the consent form as accessible as possible.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sea-level rise that will result from decisions at COP26; and whether any modifications will be required for the Thames Barrier to resist such rising sea levels.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Rising sea levels can cause coastal flooding and coastal erosion. Our long-term policy statement sets out our ambition to create a nation more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk. It includes five ambitious policies and over 40 supporting actions we will take to accelerate progress to better protect and prepare the country against flooding and coastal erosion from more frequent extreme weather as a result of climate change.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of COP26 pledges on sea level; however the UK Climate Projections published in 2018 (UKCP18) project potential impacts on sea levels from a range of global warming scenarios. An initial comparison shows that the UKCP18 projections are broadly consistent with the IPCC's latest findings, so we can be confident that our current projections take into account the COP26 pledges and commitments.

The Environment Agency's (EA) Thames Estuary 2100 Plan (TE2100) sets a long-term approach, designed with climate change at its core. It was the first adaptive flood risk management strategy developed in England and is internationally recognised as a leading example of a climate adaptation strategy. By taking an adaptive approach, the EA can better anticipate and respond to a range of future climate scenarios, ensuring it is investing in the right flood risk management actions at the right time, to ensure the resilience of the estuary and its communities in the future.

The EA expects the Thames Barrier to continue to protect London from tidal flooding until 2070. TE2100 identifies several options for a future Thames Barrier to protect the Thames Estuary and London to the end of the century and beyond. It outlines three possible options, including upgrading the existing Thames Barrier and two proposed locations for building a new barrier.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the defensive performance of the Ukrainian armed forces, what plans they have to review the doctrines of the UK military.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

We keep our doctrine under regular review to ensure it remains relevant to the challenges of today. Analysis of current events, such as the illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia, is a key tenet of that review process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in light of the conflict in Ukraine, what plans they have to increase the quantity of UK defensive war stocks.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps weapons stockpile levels and requirements under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. This is especially true in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, and these considerations have also informed the numbers of munitions granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine. The Department is fully engaged with industry, allies and partners to ensure that all munitions stocks granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine are replaced as expeditiously as possible. For reasons of safeguarding operational security, it would be inappropriate to discuss timelines or numbers at this stage in relation to any orders placed with industry. The MOD continuously reviews the capability required to counter threats and monitors the global security situation, including in Ukraine, to ensure appropriate levels of operational readiness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to place orders with (1) UK, and (2) any other, manufacturers to replace war stocks (a) supplied, and (b) promised to Ukraine.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps weapons stockpile levels and requirements under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. This is especially true in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, and these considerations have also informed the numbers of munitions granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine. The Department is fully engaged with industry, allies and partners to ensure that all munitions stocks granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine are replaced as expeditiously as possible. For reasons of safeguarding operational security, it would be inappropriate to discuss timelines or numbers at this stage in relation to any orders placed with industry. The MOD continuously reviews the capability required to counter threats and monitors the global security situation, including in Ukraine, to ensure appropriate levels of operational readiness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department expects deliveries of F-35s to the RAF to be completed.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All Partner Nations place orders for F-35 through the Joint Program Office in low-rate initial production Lots. The average time between the multi-national orders being placed for each Lot and deliveries to customer nations is between two to four years.

For details of United Kingdom delivery timescales from Lot 3 to Lot 14, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer that Baroness Goldie gave to the Noble Lord, Lord Moonie on 4 November 2019 to Question HL520, which remains extant. The multi-national order for low-rate initial production Lots 15-17 was placed in early 2023, which set delivery timescales of a further thirteen UK F-35B aircraft out to 2025.

The UK remains committed to 138 aircraft through the life of the programme. However, no contracts have been placed by any nation beyond production Lot 17. Precise details of delivery timescales for subsequent production Lots will be taken at the appropriate time, as part of the wider multi-national orders. This ensures the most appropriate capability and the best value for money.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the original timescale was for completion of deliveries of F-35s to the RAF.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All Partner Nations place orders for F-35 through the Joint Program Office in low-rate initial production Lots. The average time between the multi-national orders being placed for each Lot and deliveries to customer nations is between two to four years.

For details of United Kingdom delivery timescales from Lot 3 to Lot 14, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer that Baroness Goldie gave to the Noble Lord, Lord Moonie on 4 November 2019 to Question HL520, which remains extant. The multi-national order for low-rate initial production Lots 15-17 was placed in early 2023, which set delivery timescales of a further thirteen UK F-35B aircraft out to 2025.

The UK remains committed to 138 aircraft through the life of the programme. However, no contracts have been placed by any nation beyond production Lot 17. Precise details of delivery timescales for subsequent production Lots will be taken at the appropriate time, as part of the wider multi-national orders. This ensures the most appropriate capability and the best value for money.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their current estimate of the support costs for Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft per flying hour; and how this compares with the original estimate when the aircraft were procured.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

I refer the Noble Lord to the Answer I gave to the Noble Lord, Lord Moonie on 8 October 2020, to Question HL 8679. Support costs are based on engineering and support requirements and are not correlated with flying hours.