John McDonnell: MOD: Written Answers (22)

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Monday 5th February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, Defence how many Aardvark AMCS Mk4 mine flail vehicles (a) are in storage, (b) are in use and (c) were donated to Ukraine between February 2022 and June 2023.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Aardvark AMCS Mk4 is not in service with the British Armed Forces. There are none in storage nor have any been Granted in Kind to Ukraine by the UK.

Written Question

Challenger Tanks

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department donated 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine; and for what reason his Department did not donate all Challenger 2 tanks not due to be upgraded to Challenger 3.

Answered by James Heappey

The UK’s decision to send a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine delivered a coherent and combat effective capability and, in doing so, unlocked dozens of additional Main Battle Tanks from international partners.

A decision on what will happen to the Challenger 2 platforms not being used as part of the Challenger 3 programme has not yet been taken.

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Python Minefield Breaching Systems (a) are in storage, (b) are in use and (c) were donated to Ukraine between February 2022 and June 2023.

Answered by James Heappey

I am withholding the number of in-service Python as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the British Armed Forces.

I can confirm however that no Python Minefield Breaching Systems have been Granted in Kind to Ukraine by the UK.

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to donate more Minefield Breaching Systems to Ukraine.

Answered by James Heappey

The UK does plan to donate additional Minefield Breaching Systems to Ukraine. However, due to operational security I will not provide a specific breakdown.

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the (a) vehicle-mounted and (b) on-the person (i) mine clearing and (ii) explosive ordnance disposal equipment donated to Ukraine was for (A) clearance in unoccupied territory and(B) breaching Russian minefields.

Answered by James Heappey

We do not comment on the tactical employment of GiK to ensure the safety and security of the Ukrainian service personnel.

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many remotely operated minefield breaching systems his Department has provided to Ukraine (a) since 1 February 2022 and (b) before 1 June 2023.

Answered by James Heappey

We have not provided any remotely operated minefield breaching systems during this time period.

Written Question

Ukraine: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Trojan platforms were donated to Ukraine between February 2022 and June 2023.

Answered by James Heappey

We have not donated any Trojan platforms to Ukraine during that time period.

Written Question

Ukraine: Defence Equipment

Thursday 1st February 2024

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Minefield Breaching Systems were donated to Ukraine between February 2022 and June 2023.

Answered by James Heappey

The UK has provided considerable equipment and training to Ukraine to improve their ability to clear mines. This has included over 1,500 sets of both vehicle-mounted and 'on-the person' mine clearing and explosive ordnance disposal equipment, including necessary training.

Written Question

Ministry of Defence: Coronavirus

Tuesday 7th July 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Procurement Policy Note 04/20: Recovery and Transition from COVID-19, published on 9 June 2020, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of maintaining the provision of contractual relief as a result of covid-19 in line with Procurement Policy Notice 02/20; which (a) companies and (b) work areas will be affected by changes to that contractual relief; and what the timeframe is for proposals to change that contractual relief.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

In line with the Government's Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 04/20, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be extending the provision for contractual relief outlined in PPN 02/20 until October 2020, where that is appropriate and necessary. This will apply to all MOD procurement activity. On current plans and in line with the wider Government policy, we expect to cease the provision of contractual relief by the end of October 2020.

Written Question

Ministry of Defence: Pay

Tuesday 9th June 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the pay (a) minimum and (b) maximum is for each civil service grade in his Department below the Senior Civil Service (i) inside and (ii) outside the London area.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

As of 1 April 2020, the following pay scales apply:

Ministry of Defence (MOD) including Defence Electronics and Components Agency (DECA)

MOD Grade

Civil Service equiv. grade

National Min

National Max

London Min

London Max

19,045

19,130

19,444

20,369

21,367

21,799

22,863

25,967

28,907

27,019

30,064

HEO

32,425

36,102

33,728

37,546

SEO

39,511

43,988

41,090

45,747

Grade 7

53,107

59,157

55,241

61,523

Grade 6

62,528

71,728

65,044

74,597

Skill Zone Pay Scales

MOD Grade

Civil Service Equivalent

National Min

National Max

London Min

London Max

Skill Zone 1

N/A

16,778

17,033

N/A

Skill Zone 2

N/A

18,264

18,611

N/A

Skill Zone 3

N/A

19,980

22,891

N/A

Skill Zone 4

N/A

24,532

25,762

N/A

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Pay Scales

UKHO Grade	Civil Service equiv. grade	National Min	National Max	London Min	London Max
A2	AA	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
A1	AO	19,361	20,932	N/A	N/A
B3	EO	26,001	29,001	N/A	N/A
B2	HEO	32,371	34,988	N/A	N/A
B1	SEO	41,337	45,120	N/A	N/A
C2	Grade 7	52,243	57,199	N/A	N/A
C1	Grade 6	65,399	69,606	N/A	N/A

Notes: As the UKHO is based in Taunton, London figures do not apply. It should be noted that there are currently no A2 grade staff employed at the UKHO

Defence Equipment and Support(DE&S) Pay Scales

MOD Grade

Civil Service Equivalent

National Min

National Max

London Min

London Max

DES Apprentice

N/A

16,777

N/A

Admin Specialist 37/37L

N/A

16,777

35,000

N/A

Admin Specialist 42/42L

N/A

19,044

35,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist 37/37L

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist 42/42L

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist OT B

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist OT B/L

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist OT D

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Senior Admin Specialist OT D/L

N/A

19,044

50,000

N/A

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Pay Scales

Level

Civil Service Equivalent

National Min

National Max

London Min

London Max

N/A

16,993

17,085

N/A

17,000

22,084

N/A

19,987

28,084

N/A

21,576

36,214

N/A

31,983

44,719

N/A

39,716

54,683

N/A

49,646

65,117

N/A

58,531

75,641

N/A

70,208

123,453

N/A