Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the recent military action in Yemen on the level of national security risk associated with the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
Our clear aim is the continued full operation of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in national, regional and global security. Mauritius has made clear publicly that it supports this goal. The joint UK/US military facility helps to keep people around the world safe, combatting some of the most challenging threats to international peace and security.
We must look at all the risks there could be in any change of circumstances. The UK will only enter into an agreement that protects our national interests and those of our partners.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help increase production of 155mm shells for Ukraine.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed an order in June 2023 with BAE Systems to provide an eight-fold increase in production capability of 155mm shells. The MOD contract is for significant initial quantities of 155mm shells which will reinstate and build sovereign capability and stockpiles.
In respect of artillery ammunition being providing to Ukraine, since the start of the conflict, the UK has donated over 300,000 rounds of artillery ammunition - including 155mm and Former Soviet Union calibres.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks to national security of the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reassurances his Department has received from the government of Mauritius on the future of the military base in Diego Garcia.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
We are in regular contact with the US administration on matters related to the British Indian Ocean Territory at both Ministerial and official levels.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will visit Guyana to show support for its territorial integrity.
Answered by James Heappey
There are no plans for a visit at this time. The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the Secretary of State are in contact with their counterparts in Guyana and CDS will be visiting Guyana in late January 2024 for the annual UK–Caribbean Chiefs of Defence conference.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help safeguard passage through the Taiwan Strait.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any action which changes the facts on the ground, raises tensions and hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of the disputes. We will therefore continue to encourage open communication and de-escalation. As a P5 country, we have an interest in upholding international law and freedom of navigation. In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration declared that China has no legal basis to claim its "historic" rights in the South China Sea.
Our maritime presence in the region has grown, with the deployment of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), HMS SPEY and HMS TAMAR, supporting our persistent presence approach. HMS SPEY last navigated through the Taiwan Strait in January this year and the People's Liberation Army Navy response to her transit was assessed as safe and professional.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's press release Record £1.9 billion UK-Poland missile export deal set to bolster European security, published on 28 April, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for collective security of that deal.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
MBDA's export agreement announced on 28 April will see 22 Polish Air Defence batteries equipped with the UK's Common Anti-air Module Missiles (CAMM) and launchers. It is testament to the increasingly close bilateral defence and security relationship between the UK and Poland; the largest ever UK defence export to Poland and one of the biggest deals of its kind in NATO. It provides a significant enhancement to the short-range air defence capability of a key Ally on NATO's strategically important eastern flank, bolstering both Poland's and the Alliance's security.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the UK's strategic commitments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Answered by James Heappey
Defence is an essential part of the Indo-Pacific Tilt, which was set out in the 2021 Integrated Review (IR) Refresh.
Since IR21, the UK has participated in at least 50 exercises in the region, spanning land operations in Ex VIGILANT ISLES, to operations in the air domain as part of the 17 nation Ex PITCH BLACK in Australia. HMS SPEY and HMS TAMAR are also now permanently in the region, the first such permanent presence in more than 25 years.
We are also developing capability partnerships, including AUKUS and GCAP and supporting UK prosperity by strengthening defence exports.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the consequences for his policies of (a) Hezbollah’s alleged involvement in the smuggling of narcotics and (b) the production of Captagon in the Levant.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK remains committed to the stability and security of the Levant and broader Middle East, and reducing the threat posed by malign state and non-state activity, including the smuggling of narcotics. The UK announced sanctions on key actors involved in the Captagon trade last month. We engage regularly with partners to support co-operation efforts and to encourage the publication of relevant data on the trade, including successful seizures.