Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Smith of Basildon and Lord Coaker on 21 October 2024 (HL1344 and HL1345), who holds the Royal Naval Division War Memorial within their property portfolio, if the Government Property Agency is its formal custodian but does not hold it within its property portfolio.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will write to the Noble Lord once investigations are complete.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many operational frigates are in the Royal Naval order of battle.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As a new government we inherited a situation in which the Royal Navy has nine Type 23 frigates in service, six of which are currently available. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and departmental planning requirements. The Royal Navy will be transitioning from Type 23 Frigates to two new classes, Type 26 and Type 31, over the next decade.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the second undersea cable protection ship will join the Royal Navy.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
RFA PROTEUS, the first of two Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships, is in service providing protection to undersea critical national infrastructure. The Strategic Defence Review will inform how to best deliver and augment RFA PROTEUS, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by new technologies.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans the UK Military Flying Training System has to resolve the obstacles in the training pipeline.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
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.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships are classed as military.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
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.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the work of Royal Fleet Auxiliary Proteus is being affected by the ongoing strike action of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
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.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many F-35B jets will be in the UK inventory by May 2025.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is anticipated that the UK will have 41 F-35Bs on inventory by May 2025.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in building three new Fleet Solid Support Ships for the Royal Navy.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship project is currently in the design phase, with design work on schedule, and its successful delivery remains a priority. Production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin in 2025 and to enter service by 2031, after first of class trials and equipment fits. All three ships are expected to be in service by 2032, following equipment fits and military trials.
Following a review of Harland and Wolff’s financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the renovations due to be completed to the Royal Naval Division War Memorial in 2019 have been carried out; whether there have been any further renovations since; and, if not, whether the Government Property Agency will conduct a survey to start renovations as soon as possible.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government Property Agency is the formal custodian of the the Royal Navy Division War Memorial. Responsibility for the Government Property Agency is held by the Cabinet Office, and as such I have asked my colleagues to write to the Noble Lord with further detail regarding the renovation programme.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the fountain of the Royal Naval Division War Memorial is functioning correctly.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government Property Agency is the formal custodian of the the Royal Navy Division War Memorial. Responsibility for the Government Property Agency is held by the Cabinet Office, and as such I have asked my colleagues to write to the Noble Lord with further detail regarding the renovation programme.