Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Administrative Arrangement for the admission of the UK to the military mobility element of the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation upon completion.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK's Administrative Arrangement to join the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) military mobility project would be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
We will not be publishing the Administrative Arrangement, as it is not Ministry of Defence policy to publish MOUs because they often deal with classified military or technical matters.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the Administrative Arrangement for the UK's admission to the military mobility element of the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation to be concluded.
Answered by James Heappey
The Military Mobility Project delivered through the European Union's Permanent Structural Corporation (PESCO) is an important part of enabling Allies' response to the crisis in continental Europe. The Military Mobility Project coordinates infrastructure development and other logistics measures that will allow NATO to move forces more quickly across the continent. The UK would be joining the US, Canada and Norway who are already part of the project.
The Council of the European Union gave political approval for our application on 15 November 2022, and we are now negotiating the technical terms of our participation in the form of an Administrative Arrangement. These negotiations will conclude once the UK and the EU Member States that participate in the project reach agreement.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what terms the UK will join the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) arrangements on military mobility.
Answered by James Heappey
Joining the Dutch-led PESCO Military Mobility project would enable the UK to better shape the rules and requirements that impact the movement of forces across the EU at pace, and to reinforce NATO's flanks if required. Joining the project would not in any way effect the UK's sovereign control over defence, obligate us to adopt EU defence policy, or participate in other projects. It does not involve financial commitments beyond sending representatives to meetings. We are currently negotiating administrative arrangements with participating states in line with those already agreed with the US, Canada and Norway.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions his Department has had with its US counterparts on the participation by the UK and US in the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) arrangements.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Government regularly discusses defence and security issues with our NATO Allies and European partners. We have discussed the UK's application to join the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project with the US as an existing third country participant. We have also kept NATO informed throughout the application process.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) arrangements on military mobility, whether his Department plans to participate in any other PESCO arrangements.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK continues to monitor Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects as they develop, but has no intention to apply for any other PESCO projects at this time.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that child protection is embedded in all UK peacekeeping and military training.
Answered by James Heappey
In line with the MOD's Human Security strategy, we are working to ensure that Human Security training, including training on child protection, is part of all relevant training programmes for personnel. This work is being taken forward as part of the Human Security change programme, led by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
The training provided to UK personnel deploying on operations is tailored in order to best meet the needs of the deployment, taking into consideration factors such as the expected level of engagement with the local population and the forecast Defence activity.
I can confirm that the pre deployment training and briefing for UK personnel for the UN Peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Mali include material on child protection.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to review the Defence and Security Public Contracts Directive after the end of the Transition Period.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Consistent with the Withdrawal Act, the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR) will be amended at the end of the Transition period to reflect the UK's new status.
Reform of the DSPCR is currently being actively considered as part of the cross-Government review into the UK's defence and security industrial sectors. Reform would, in due course, require new primary legislation.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what logistical and other advantages the Royal Navy is deriving from the establishment of HMS Jufair in Bahrain.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The UK Naval Support Facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain demonstrates our strong and enduring bilateral relationship. It supports our deployed naval force in the Gulf, providing maritime security for Bahrain, the wider region, and the global economy. The capability is split into three broad categories: accommodation, welfare, and technical. It provides appropriate levels of real-life support to personnel deployed to Bahrain, whether permanently shore-based, on contingent operations, on a deployed maritime unit, or on short-term theatre visits. The facility provides engineering and logistics support to maritime units,and can host contingent forces for short periods. It has enabled the Royal Navy to permanently assign HMS MONTROSE - a Type 23 frigate - to the Gulf, and provide better support for its vessels, including the UK's new aircraft carriers.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is providing to Christian militias in the fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
We are not providing support on the basis of faith or religion. In Iraq, our focus has been on the Iraqi security forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, to whom we have provided training in infantry skills and tactics to counter improvised explosive devices. We have also provided medical training. In Syria, we have delivered over £4 million of life-saving equipment to moderate opposition groups including communications, medical and logistics equipment, and protection against chemical weapons attacks.