Lord West of Spithead

The Government Property Agency does not hold the Royal Naval Division War Memorial within its property portfolio. It is located outside the Agency’s freehold title.

Whilst a direct assessment has not been made, evidence indicates that badgers are not considered to be a major reason for the decline in hedgehog numbers.

The main activities linked to the decline in hedgehogs are habitat loss, the use of pesticides and road traffic accidents.

The Government currently has no plans to add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While we are concerned about the conservation of hedgehogs, there is no clear evidence to indicate recovery will be supported by protection under the Act as it does not regulate the main activities linked to its decline, namely habitat loss, the use of pesticides and road traffic accidents.

Our Environmental Land Management Schemes provide funding for habitat creation and management for threatened species, including the maintenance and creation of hedgerows, an important habitat for hedgehogs. Additionally, Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies will drive the creation and restoration of habitats that will benefit a range of species, including hedgehogs.

The Agreement reached on 3 October will ensure the continued full, long-term, secure and effective operation of the Joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia. The Agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty, which will address the specific issues raised by the Noble Lord. The UK and Mauritius have committed to finalising and signing such a treaty as quickly as possible following Mauritian elections. After signature, the treaty is required to be ratified by both the UK and Mauritius before entry into force. Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise the detail of the Treaty prior to ratification, in the usual way.

The Agreement reached on 3 October will ensure the continued full, long-term, secure and effective operation of the Joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia. The Agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty, which will address the specific issues raised by the Noble Lord. The UK and Mauritius have committed to finalising and signing such a treaty as quickly as possible following Mauritian elections. After signature, the treaty is required to be ratified by both the UK and Mauritius before entry into force. Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise the detail of the Treaty prior to ratification, in the usual way.

The Agreement reached on 3 October will ensure the continued full, long-term, secure and effective operation of the Joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia. The Agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty, which will address the specific issues raised by the Noble Lord. The UK and Mauritius have committed to finalising and signing such a treaty as quickly as possible following Mauritian elections. After signature, the treaty is required to be ratified by both the UK and Mauritius before entry into force. Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise the detail of the Treaty prior to ratification, in the usual way.

We keep the list of proscribed terrorist organisations under constant review. Iran's destabilisation of the Middle East, human rights violations, nuclear escalation and threats against people in the UK are abhorrent. We will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Recently, we imposed sanctions against four IRGC individuals responsible for facilitating the work of Iran's proxies and partners in the region. Overall, the UK has more than 400 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals and entities in response to the regime's malign influence internationally.

Since gaining the power to 'specify' individual vessels in May 2024, the UK has sanctioned 43 tankers transporting Russian oil as part of Putin's shadow fleet; a far higher number than that undertaken by partners over the same period. The majority of these vessels have been disrupted by our action, and a significant number have struggled to re-enter the Russian oil trade. This disrupts Russia's efforts to undermine our oil sanctions and intensifies the pressure we have placed on Russian revenues. We have also sanctioned 9 vessels involved in the Russian Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector. We will continue to focus on this area, working closely with partners to ensure effectiveness and impact.

I will write to the Noble Lord once investigations are complete.

It is anticipated that the UK will have 41 F-35Bs on inventory by May 2025.

The recent industrial action by Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel has had no impact on the scheduled activity of RFA Proteus.

The RFA are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships are owned and managed by the Ministry of Defence for the purposes of the Naval Service but are not considered part of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom. They are regarded as 'Government Ships' under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

The majority of aircrew training delivered through the UK Military Flying Training System continues to meet Defence demand and progress. Regarding the specific issue of Rotary Wing Aircrew training recently covered by the media, I can assure you that a stepped recovery plan is in place and being implemented to ensure that the UK Military Flying System continues to deliver the number of Rotary Wing aircrew needed by Defence. Defence is closely engaging with Industry partners to resolve the issue and there is no impact to the number of tri-service aircrew commencing Operational Conversion Unit training or Operational duties.

Planning law requires environmental impact and biodiversity net gain assessments to be submitted with all relevant planning applications. These provide information on the existing habitats and species on a proposed development site.

Current planning policy requires that any development proposal protects and enhances the natural environment, while hedgehog highways are endorsed in the National Model Design Code and Planning Practice Guidance as a feature to enable movement between sites.

The legal requirement for 10% biodiversity net gain on developments will encourage more onsite habitats which are conducive to common species like hedgehogs.

Planning law requires environmental impact and biodiversity net gain assessments to be submitted with all relevant planning applications. These provide information on the existing habitats and species on a proposed development site.

Current planning policy requires that any development proposal protects and enhances the natural environment, while hedgehog highways are endorsed in the National Model Design Code and Planning Practice Guidance as a feature to enable movement between sites.

The legal requirement for 10% biodiversity net gain on developments will encourage more onsite habitats which are conducive to common species like hedgehogs.