Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to inform foreign or commonwealth citizens currently serving in HM Forces of the eligibility criteria and steps they need to take in order to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK following their discharge.
Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes a number of steps to ensure our Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel are informed about the process for achieving indefinite leave to remain once they leave Service. It is signposted on all the Service websites for recruits to understand prior to application, so they can make an informed choice about joining the British Armed Forces. Guidance is provided to all units to help them support their Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel throughout their career in the Armed Forces, including signposting them to sources of qualified immigration advice, to ensure that they have the information and support they need to make decisions about their and their families' immigration status, including prior to discharge. This information is also included in the Service Leavers Pack, which is provided to all those coming to the end of their careers. MOD continues to work with the Joining Forces Credit Union to provide financial education, savings packages and loan packages to help non-UK personnel pay for visa costs, should they wish to remain and settle in the United Kingdom after their service.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much compensation his Department has paid to Welsh farmers for cattle abortions as a result of low flying aircraft activity in each of the last five years.
Answered by James Heappey
The Ministry of Defence has not made any payments to farmers in Wales to compensate them for the loss of livestock through cattle abortions in the last five years.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his policy to increase (a) female personnel to 15 per cent of intake and (b) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic personnel to at least 10 percent of total intake by 2020.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, published in October 2018, is based on achieving a vision that reflects our recognition that the recruitment, and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to Defence and wider society.
The Armed Forces continue to work towards targets of 10 per cent of recruits to come from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds and 15 percent to be women by 2020.
Work to increase representation in the Armed Forces includes better understanding and greater engagement with these communities, reviewing recruitment processes; and better targeted marketing and communications towards potential applicants.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on participation of military surgeons in overseas training exercises involving animals that have been shot or otherwise injured with offensive weapons for the purpose of that exercise.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Ministry of Defence takes very seriously its obligation to provide the best possible medical treatment for Service personnel wounded on operational service. The quality of care delivered by the Defence Medical Services (DMS) is directly related to the thoroughness with which we prepare our deployed surgical teams for the sorts of serious injuries they will encounter.
This training is delivered through a range of different courses and exercises, many of which employ complex simulation models such as programmable mannequins. However, simulators are currently unable to replace all trauma training. Even the most sophisticated of them are not technologically advanced enough to respond physiologically to complex surgical procedures. At present, the only means for our surgical teams to get the necessary training in the control of real-time internal haemorrhage from combat injury is through live tissue training (LTT).
Up to twice a year, members of the DMS attend surgical training exercises in Denmark, during which live but fully anaesthetised pigs are given bullet and blast wounds which are then treated in real-time exercises by surgical teams. The animals are unconscious during the entire exercise, and feel no pain. They are attended at all times by veterinary staff, who may withdraw them at any time for any reason, and the animals are humanely put down at the end of the training procedures without recovering consciousness.
The DMS have collaborated on a number of research programmes into simulator technology, and constantly monitors the latest developments, especially where they might in future offer an alternative means of delivering this specialised but vital training.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 1,941 animals used in scientific procedures at DSTL Porton Down in 2018 were experimented upon under a multiple generic licence.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's in-house research involving the use of animals.
In 2017 and 2018, no animals were used in scientific procedures at Dstl Porton Down under a multiple generic licence. Dstl does not hold licences of this type.
Animals are used in experiments to develop new vaccines, therapies and treatments that save the lives of UK military and can benefit civilians. Chemical and biological weapons are a real and present threat. That is why Dstl continues its vital work in providing better protection against the use of these agents and against conventional threats.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 3,865 animals used in scientific procedures at DSTL Porton Down in 2017 were experimented upon under a multiple generic licence.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's in-house research involving the use of animals.
In 2017 and 2018, no animals were used in scientific procedures at Dstl Porton Down under a multiple generic licence. Dstl does not hold licences of this type.
Animals are used in experiments to develop new vaccines, therapies and treatments that save the lives of UK military and can benefit civilians. Chemical and biological weapons are a real and present threat. That is why Dstl continues its vital work in providing better protection against the use of these agents and against conventional threats.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the UK did not sign the October 2018 United Nations General Assembly Joint Statement on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The use of lethal force in populated areas, as elsewhere, is governed by relevant international law - in particular, International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Our targeting policy and practice is entirely consistent with our obligations under UK and international law and we will continue to operate in accordance with its principles. The UK declined to sign the October 2018 United Nations First Committee Joint Statement on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas because its call for a binding political declaration risks undermining the primacy of IHL and imposing impracticable standards and expectations on military commanders.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will write to the (a) Defence Select Committee and (b) Public Accounts Committee to outline his plans for establishing new military bases in (i) the Caribbean and (ii) South East Asia after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence plays a crucial role in the projection of UK global influence, upholding the Rules Based International System which delivers protection, peace and security for all and countering international threats to the UK, its interests and our overseas territories. Our global network of operational and logistic support bases enables the UK to play a leading role in delivering international security. As such, we have a duty to constantly review and improve the methods by which we deliver these effects and to ensure that the UK is always best placed and prepared to continue our commitments to global security and routinely consult with our allies and partners on these issues.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role he plans for Parliament to play in the scrutiny of the establishment of the proposed new military bases in the (a) Caribbean and (b) South East Asia to be set up after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence plays a crucial role in the projection of UK global influence, upholding the Rules Based International System which delivers protection, peace and security for all and countering international threats to the UK, its interests and our overseas territories. Our global network of operational and logistic support bases enables the UK to play a leading role in delivering international security. As such, we have a duty to constantly review and improve the methods by which we deliver these effects and to ensure that the UK is always best placed and prepared to continue our commitments to global security and routinely consult with our allies and partners on these issues.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) his European counterparts on the merits of the UK establishing new military bases in (i) the Caribbean and (ii) South East Asia after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence plays a crucial role in the projection of UK global influence, upholding the Rules Based International System which delivers protection, peace and security for all and countering international threats to the UK, its interests and our overseas territories. Our global network of operational and logistic support bases enables the UK to play a leading role in delivering international security. As such, we have a duty to constantly review and improve the methods by which we deliver these effects and to ensure that the UK is always best placed and prepared to continue our commitments to global security and routinely consult with our allies and partners on these issues.