Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Donald Trump’s comments about NATO members and spending on defence.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK’s commitment to NATO, and the principle of collective defence under Article V, is resolute. We expect all NATO Allies to come to the aid of others.
The UK has led the conversation on defence spending at NATO. Since the NATO Defence Investment Pledge, which Leaders agreed in Newport Wales in 2014, European Allies and Canada have invested heavily on Defence and will have added more $600 billion by the end of this year. Now is the time for all Allied and democratic nations across the world to ensure their defence spending is growing.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the (1) development, and (2) testing, of hypersonic missile technology by the government of China.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
China is investing in new capabilities, including hypersonic weapons. We continue to monitor global developments in advanced missile and other technologies which may pose a threat to the UK. Insights into potential future threat capabilities and technologies informed the development of the Integrated Review.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have either (1) alone, or (2) with allies, to create a hypersonic missile technology programme.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK regularly considers the balance of investment choices across multiple defence capabilities, including investments in Hypersonic and CounterHypersonic missiles.
Hypersonic flight (generally accepted as speeds greater than Mach 5) presents technical challenges, and we work as necessary with suitable international partners to develop hypersonic capabilities. This includes the US, through the Next Generation Capability Cooperation agreement, and the MoD is actively exploring Hypersonic opportunities through AUKUS.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their justification for increasing the number of nuclear warheads by 40 per cent.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
We remain committed to maintaining the minimum destructive power needed to guarantee that the UK's nuclear deterrent remains credible and effective against the full range of state nuclear threats. This judgement includes an assessment of the decision making processes of future potential aggressors, and an analysis of the defensive measures that they might employ. Therefore, in recognition of the developing range of technological and doctrinal threats the UK will increase the overall nuclear weapon stockpile ceiling from no more than 225 to no more than 260 warheads, an increase of 15 per cent.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Ministry of Defence will use Penally training camp once it is returned to them by the Home Office on 21 March.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Following the completion of a successful handover from the Home Office to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the intent is to return Penally Training Camp to its primary purpose; providing accommodation and catering facilities to Defence users who will be utilising MOD training facilities in the local area.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, when Napier Barracks was last used continuously to house military personnel.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
From 1967 Napier Barracks was used continuously to house military personnel up until 1991. Following this it was reallocated as a training camp and used by personnel training at nearby locations as temporary accommodation. It was then taken over by the Home Office in September 2020.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, on how many occasions Napier Barracks was used for short-term training purposes in each year since 2016.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The number of occasions that Napier Barracks was utilised for short-term training purposes in each year since 2016, up until it was taken over by the Home Office in September 2020, is detailed in the table below:
Year | Number of days |
2016 | 352 |
2017 | 352 |
2018 | 290 |
2019 | 155 |
2020 | 40 |
Total | 1,189 |
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how long the former Napier barracks were vacant between service personnel leaving and its use to accommodate refugees in 2020.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Prior to the transfer of Napier Barracks to the Home Office on 21 September 2020, the site was last used by military personnel on 10 September 2020 to support military training. It was vacant for 11 days.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the suitability of Penally army barracks for use by the British Armed Forces.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Prior to the handover of the site to the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence maintained Penally camp through the National Training Estate Prime (NTEP) contract, which included an inspections regime to maintain legal compliance.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how long the former army barracks at Penally were vacant after service personnel left; and what assessment was made of the living conditions of the billets upon vacation.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Prior to the transfer of Penally to the Home Office on 21 September 2020, the site was last used by military personnel from 7 to 14 September 2020 to support military training. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintained Penally through the National Training Estate Prime (NTEP) contract, which included an inspections regime to maintain legal compliance. No additional assessment of living conditions was made by the MOD upon its vacation by MOD and transfer of use to the Home Office.