Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether there was a demand for maritime assets to respond to a number of recent incidents; and who in the Joint Maritime Operations Coordination Centre has the authority to decide on priorities and allocate forces accordingly.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Each incident and response is judged and decided on its own merits. At present JMOCC (Joint Maritime Operations Coordination Centre) focuses on intelligence sharing and coordination support to operations. It is the aspiration for JMOCC to have the authority to decide on prioritising and allocation of cross government capabilities by 2019.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which individuals may be held to account in the Joint Maritime Operations Coordination Centre if assets are not allocated to the highest priority incident.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The JMOCC has a number of cross-Government partners each with their own priorities, each of whom retain command and control of their various assets. The role of the JMOOCC is to respond to tasking requests, facilitate a discussion with all agencies to agree relative priorities and capability allocation. Each partner organisation owns the risk and decision on whether their capabilities are allocated.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 January (HL Deb, col 1020), how many Hong Kong servicemen have been given British nationality for crown service; how many such servicemen are eligible; and whether they intend to allow any more of those who served to be given British nationality, in line with the Armed Forces Military Covenant’s commitment to look after veterans for life.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The data requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost
There are no plans to change current nationality requirements. In line with the Armed Forces Covenant, individuals and their families who enlisted and served in HM Forces are not disadvantaged as a result of that service.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to utilise the Maritime Volunteer Service to assist the UK Border Force in patrolling and ensuring the security of UK inshore waters.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Border Force is maximising the security of the UKs coastline and inshore waterways through a variety of means. For example, the Project KRAKEN network is directed at public spirited volunteers who provide ‘intelligence’ based on any unusual activity observed. Border Force is extending Kraken’s reach and will work with the Maritime Volunteer Service to ensure that they are fully engaged.
Border security is a priority for this Government. We are committed to countering threats to the UK coastline using an intelligence-led approach and through working with the wider law enforcement community. Border Force has long-standing working relationships and intelligence-sharing practices in place, and is increasing interaction with key partners as well as undertaking joint operations in order to disrupt organised criminal gangs who will seek to exploit any border weaknesses. Whilst training and duty of care issues mean that it might not be appropriate for Border Force to directly task the Maritime Volunteer Service their voluntary participation within these existing programs is very welcome.