Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of running the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in financial year 2023-24.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The direct cost to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for running the UK element of the UK-US military base in the British Indian Ocean Territory in financial year 2023-24 was £3.8 million. This excludes minor costs incurred directly by, for example, visiting units or HQ elements in the UK. Any costs incurred by other Government Departments cannot be provided by the MOD.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the cost of running the UK-US military base in Diego Garcia was covered by the United States in financial year 2023-24.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
It is not possible to determine relative proportions of the running cost of the base in Diego Garcia. The United States is responsible for any costs it incurs, while the UK remains responsible for the cost of the UK element of the base only.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff members will be employed in the National Armament Director’s private office.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment.
Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he categorises the National Armaments Director role as a (a) civil servant or (b) military appointment.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment.
Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where he plans to locate the private office of the National Armaments Director.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment.
Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his answer to Urgent Question on 11 November 2024 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, when he first became aware of the costs to be borne by his Department arising from the agreement with Mauritius on sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government.
The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department will receive additional funding to cover any additional costs arising from the Chagos Island settlement.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government.
The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date he agreed his Department’s contribution to the Chagos Island settlement.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government.
The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the guidance entitled Appointment of AUKUS Adviser and report: Terms of Reference, published on 29 August 2024, whether Sir Stephen Lovegrove reported his findings on AUKUS before the end of October 2024.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
An extension has been provided to allow Sir Stephen Lovegrove to gather all the necessary information. He will now report to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor in November 2024.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the guidance entitled Appointment of AUKUS Adviser and report: Terms of Reference, published on 29 August 2024, when he plans to publish Sir Stephen Lovegrove's report on AUKUS.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
An extension has been provided to allow Sir Stephen Lovegrove to gather all the necessary information. He will now report to the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor in November 2024.