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Written Question
War Memorials: Greater London
Tuesday 19th November 2024

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.


Written Question
Frigates
Tuesday 5th November 2024

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.


Written Question
Telecommunications Cables: Seas and Oceans
Monday 4th November 2024

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.


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
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
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.