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Written Question
Diego Garcia: Military Bases
Thursday 31st October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.


Written Question
Diego Garcia: Civil Law
Thursday 31st October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.


Written Question
Diego Garcia: Flags
Thursday 31st October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.


Written Question
Air Force: Training
Thursday 31st October 2024

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.


Written Question
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Thursday 31st October 2024

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.


Written Question
Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Strikes
Tuesday 29th October 2024

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.


Written Question
F-35 Aircraft: Procurement
Tuesday 29th October 2024

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.


Written Question
Hedgehogs: Conservation
Monday 28th October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.


Written Question
Hedgehogs
Monday 28th October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.


Written Question
Hedgehogs: Conservation
Wednesday 23rd October 2024

Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)

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.