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Written Question
Armed Forces: LGBT+ People
Wednesday 6th March 2024

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) written and (b) photographic materials taken from people investigated for homosexuality in the armed forces (i) are still held by his Department, (ii) were returned to those investigated and (iii) were destroyed.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Service police investigative records are routinely and lawfully destroyed in line with data protection legislation and Defence policy; once they have no investigative value there is no basis to retain them, particularly as they contain sensitive personal information. Furthermore, the destruction of investigative records concerning decriminalised sexual offences in line with Defence policy means that most investigative records relating to LGBT ‘offences’ have been destroyed.


Written Question
Navy
Wednesday 23rd February 2022

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Royal Navy ships and (b) admirals there are as of 18 February 2022.

Answered by James Heappey

As of 18 February 2022 there are 80 Royal Navy ships including Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and 40 Admirals or equivalent Officers serving in the Ministry of Defence.


Written Question
Nuclear Submarines: Shipping Lanes
Thursday 23rd July 2020

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the incident involving the Belfast to Cairnryan passenger ferry and a nuclear-powered submarine in November 2018, what (a) lessons have been learned from that incident, (b) steps have been taken to ensure that nuclear-powered submarines do not travel at periscope depths on any ferry lanes on the west coast of Scotland, (c) is now the minimum clearance between ferries and submarines passing, on the surface or submerged, and (d) additional safety measures have been taken, as a result of that incident, for all ferries around the Scottish coast.

Answered by James Heappey

Ensuring safety at sea is a top priority for the Royal Navy. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's (MAIB) report is welcomed and the Royal Navy fully accepts their recommendation. Actions have been taken to prevent re-occurrence and a system of assurance is in place in accordance with the Navy's Safety Management System.? To deliver the MAIB's recommendation, the Fleet Commander has directed an independent review of the actions taken to provide assurance that such actions have been effective. This review will be led by the Defence Maritime Regulator, part of the independent Defence Safety Authority.

I can confirm that there is no plan for submarines to cease operating at periscope depth.

The safe distance between a submarine operating at periscope depth and surface shipping is determined by the combined speed of the vessels at a given time, and is achieved by manoeuvring the submarine to ensure that surface vessels do not approach within the distance that the submarine would dive to a safe depth to remain safe.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Political Parties
Tuesday 16th October 2018

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is permissible for (a) members of the Armed Forces and (b) Ministry of Defence personnel to join a political party.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

Armed Forces personnel and Ministry of Defence civilians are permitted to join political parties. However, all personnel are required to abide by the standards and values of their respective Service or the Civil Service Code, at all times, whether on duty or off duty.


Written Question
HMY Iolaire
Friday 27th July 2018

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will agree to calls from representatives and organisations in the Western Isles that the wreck of HMY Iolaire be designated a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Royal Navy is in the process of identifying potential vessels to be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, and the status of HMY IOLAIRE is being reviewed as part of this process. We expect a decision to be made at the end of this year.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Contracts
Monday 5th February 2018

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will meet representatives of (a) Arnish fabrication yard and (b) other organisations to discuss access for small and medium-sized businesses to Government contracts.

Answered by Guto Bebb

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that small businesses are a vital source of growth and innovation in the UK, whether they are working directly with the Department or through its prime contractors. We therefore set an ambitious target that 25% of our procurement spend should go to small and medium-sized enterprises by 2022.

The MOD operates an outreach service "Doing Business with Defence" for new and prospective suppliers. Any supplier can raise questions or comments directly with this team. Their contact details are:

Email: dbscs-ecfinanceteam@mod.uk

Tel: 0151-242-2000


Written Question
MOD Hebrides
Tuesday 12th December 2017

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2017 to Question 117089, on MoD Hebrides Range, where the data referred to in his answer is held.

Answered by Harriett Baldwin

Data about visits to the Hebrides Range is held by external bodies.


Written Question
MOD Hebrides
Monday 11th December 2017

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff at the Hebrides Range had to take annual leave at the end of the year due to their being busy throughout summer.

Answered by Harriett Baldwin

There is no requirement to keep records of why Hebrides Range staff take annual leave. In line with the company's Human Resources policy, employees can request annual leave at any time.


Written Question
MOD Hebrides
Thursday 7th December 2017

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the number of guards at Hebrides Range has been decreased.

Answered by Harriett Baldwin

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 December 2017 to Question 117085.


Written Question
MOD Hebrides
Wednesday 6th December 2017

Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether redundancy terms are being honoured for staff who have recently been made redundant at the Hebrides Range.

Answered by Harriett Baldwin

No redundancies have yet been made at the Hebrides Range. QinetiQ operates the facility and some of its sub-contractors are currently considering their future resourcing requirements. This work is part of a £60 million programme of investment in the Hebrides Range that will sustain the facility until at least 2028.

The terms of any redundancies will be a matter for QinetiQ and its sub-contractors.