Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to assist the Nepalese Government with its covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Heappey
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nepal during this pandemic. The UK has an enduring defence relationship with Nepal and their Armed Forces.
The UK was one of the first countries to send life-saving medical equipment to Nepal, including 260 ventilators and thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment, to help the country's fight against Covid-19. The UK is one of the leading donors to COVAX, having committed £548 million to the scheme. COVAX has allocated 2,000,000 vaccine doses to Nepal, of which 348,000 have already been delivered and we understand another tranche will arrive by August.
UK aid to the Gurkha Welfare Trust has also ensured access to life-saving support and supplies to Gurkha veterans and their communities throughout the pandemic. Their distinguished service is a source of immense pride in both our countries.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the facility at the Army Personnel Centre enabling people to trace the service records of their relatives will be fully operational; and when a search made for an individual with Army Service Number 14603451 and date of birth 5 June 1907 can be actioned.
Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
Due to COVID-19, staff at the Army Personnel Centre (APC) in Glasgow have been required to work from home since lockdown. During this time, they have received over 10,000 requests for copies of Service records. Most Service records are in their original hard copy paper format and could not therefore be retrieved from the archives and copied by APC staff working at home. Although APC staff have now started returning to the workplace, it is not possible to say how long it will take to process all the requests they have received. However, the request for a copy of the Service record relating to Army Service Number 14603451 has been completed and was sent to the requester on 28 August.
An online facility is also being developed by the Ministry of Defence to enable individuals to apply for the Service records of deceased military service personnel. This is subject to assessment by the Government Digital Service later this year. If that assessment is positive the online system will be made available to the public via the Government Digital Service platform.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the milk and dairy products used by his Department comes from UK producers; what steps he is taking to increase that proportion; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Information on the proportion of milk and dairy products used by the Ministry of Defence that comes from UK producers is not held.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to ensure that there is a public celebration on 25 May 2020 for the diamond anniversary of the first test-flight of XH558 vulcan aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Heappey
The Ministry of Defence has no plans to mark the anniversary of the first test flight of Vulcan XH558.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of medical measures to protect members of the armed forces against nerve agents following the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury last year.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The response to this unique incident in the UK was predominately led by other Government Departments, supported by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Post event there was detailed examination of the properties of the nerve agent and its medical management by military and civilian scientific and medical communities, re-affirming the effectiveness of our current Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) medical countermeasures and the importance of continuing medical care.
The MOD, in collaboration with countermeasure development partners, will use the information and lessons identified for future capability development as well as the continuing training of first responders and medical personnel. Furthermore, the UK has shared valuable information with its allies to allow them to assess their CBRN medical countermeasures and maximise interoperability.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Void Reduction Plan; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
A copy of the Department's Service Family Accommodation Void Reduction Plan has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Department is delivering a Void Reduction Plan to reduce the number of vacant Service Family Accommodation properties from around 11,000 to the optimal 10% management margin of around 5,000 by 2022.
This will be achieved through a combination of anticipated increase in occupation by Service personnel and families, disposal, demolition of derelict properties, sub-letting to civilian tenants, and wider estate optimisation.
The announcement in this House on 28 February concerning the Department's revised plans for the future laydown of the Estate under the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme are currently being incorporated into the Void Reduction Plan.
Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government's policy is on those who have served in HM forces and wish to buy a council or housing association property under the terms of the Military Covenant.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Policy on the right to buy socially-held accommodation is a matter for the relevant housing authorities and is not covered under the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant's primary role is to remove the disadvantages that our Serving personnel, veterans and families may face as a result of their Service and to offer them a fair deal in comparison with all other British citizens. The available evidence does not suggest that veterans have greater challenges in finding accommodation than any other citizen.
We support our Armed Forces to get on the housing ladder and get a good job when they leave, through our resettlement programmes, Help to Buy Schemes and Career Transition Partnerships, and the vast majority transition well to civilian life.
However a small number may struggle and we work very closely with local authorities and the Devolved Administrations to ensure that the help they need is available to them. Initiatives such as ensuring fair access to social housing, Help to Buy schemes, and support through organisations such as the Riverside English Churches Housing Group, and Veterans' Hubs exist to address the range of housing needs of veterans and their families.