Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 210574, if he will place in the Library details of training provided to Colombian armed forces by the British military.
Answered by Mark Francois
The UK has an on-going programme of counter-narcotics assistance for Colombia.
With regard to your first question I will write to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will meet the Parliamentary Friends of Colombia to discuss the training provided to the Colombian armed forces by British military personnel.
Answered by Mark Francois
The UK has an on-going programme of counter-narcotics assistance for Colombia.
With regard to your first question I will write to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what terms and conditions the contract of the Chief of Defence Materiel has been extended.
Answered by Philip Dunne
I am pleased to confirm that the Chief of Defence Materiel’s contract has been extended for a further year on the existing terms and conditions. He will therefore have served a total of five years in post, in line with existing guidelines for senior civil servants of his rank.
As a member of the Defence Board, details of Mr Gray’s salary and bonus payments are published annually in the Department’s accounts.
Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 210574, what assessment his Department has undertaken to ensure that the Colombian army units receiving British military training have not committed and will not commit human rights abuses against Colombian civilians.
Answered by Mark Francois
Ministry of Defence (MOD) has clear guidelines in place to ensure that Colombian army units receiving British military training have not and will not commit human rights abuses against civilians. This includes carrying out Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessments where applicable and liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure MOD's activity is in line with our international obligations. In addition we make regular representations to the Colombian government on human rights, reflecting the UK's deep commitment in this area. The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and the Deputy Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg) both raised human rights with President Santos during their separate visits to Colombia in February 2014. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) also raised human rights with the Colombian government when he visited in June 2014. In all meetings the President's commitment to zero tolerance of human rights abuses was welcomed while also underlining the importance of taking action on threats to human rights defenders and trade unionists.
Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which units of the Colombian military have received British military training in the last three years.
Answered by Mark Francois
The Ministry of Defence has an ongoing programme of military support to Colombia in the area of counter-narcotics; however we do not release any detailed information as it would undermine operational effectiveness and would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British personnel have been deployed to Colombia to participate in training assistance in the last six months.
Answered by Mark Francois
The Ministry of Defence has an ongoing programme of military support to Colombia in the area of counter-narcotics; however we do not release any detailed information as it would undermine operational effectiveness and would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.