Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, in what circumstances a Church of Scotland minister is able to conduct a wedding in the Church of England.
Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner
The clergy of other denominations cannot conduct Church of England marriages, though they may be able to participate to a limited extent in Church of England weddings by, for example, reading lessons, or leading prayers by agreement with the local incumbent or priest who is officiating.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the review of Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Department intends to publish the review of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations in February 2020.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to introduce a decoration to recognise the service of nuclear test veterans; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee), which is supported by the Cabinet Office is re-establishing the Advisory Military Sub-Committee (AMSC) to examine historic military medals claims. The Defence Secretary has asked that they consider the award of a medal for the Nuclear Test Veterans.
Details of the Sub-Committee's membership and terms of reference, as well as the process for assessing historic medals claims, will be announced by the Cabinet Office in due course and the AMSC is intended to start work in 2019.
The Government continues to recognise and be grateful to all Servicemen and women who participated in the British nuclear testing programme. They contributed to keeping our nation secure during the Cold War and since, by ensuring that the UK was equipped with an appropriate nuclear capability.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for how many days the Army recruiting website been inoperable in each of the last six months; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The British Army's recruiting website has been inoperable due to planned, scheduled changes to the website for a total of three days in the past six months.