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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce mandatory hedgehog protection measures for new building developments.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what hedgehog surveys have to be undertaken before any new building developments.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Mauritius will have any input into whether or where kinetic weapon strikes which are launched from Diego Garcia are targeted.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government who will be responsible for civil law on Diego Garcia after any agreement with Mauritius.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what flag will fly over Diego Garcia after any agreement with Mauritius.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Government Property Agency remains the Custodian of the Royal Naval Division War Memorial following transfer of the freehold.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether recent attacks by Hezbollah on Haifa and Northern Israel and Israeli strikes in Lebanon have led to reconsideration of the proscription of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have identified further ships in the "shadow fleet", in addition to the 10 already identified and sanctioned, which are breaking sanctions on trade of Russian oil.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether badgers are responsible for the decline in the number of hedgehogs.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

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.

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.