Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve accommodation for the Royal Irish Regiment based at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Shropshire.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
Service Family Accommodation (SFA):
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) continues to invest in improving Service Family Accommodation (SFA) serving Clive Barracks, Tern Hill. Currently, 99% of the SFA meets or exceeds the Decent Homes Standard.
During Financial Year (FY) 2026-27, 15 SFA properties have been identified for refurbishment works, including kitchen and/or bathroom replacements, which are expected to be completed within this FY. New fencing has been installed at 94 SFA properties, with all works completed by August 2026 and the playground has also been refurbished.
Through the Defence Housing Strategy, the Government is investing £9.2 billion over the next decade to upgrade, renew or rebuild 90% of military homes. The new Defence Housing Service will further improve the quality of accommodation and the support provided to Service personnel and their families.
Single Living Accommodation (SLA):
The Army has continued to support essential upgrades and maintenance while the site remains in use. Future infrastructure funding is being reviewed against strategic priorities in light of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) settlement, to ensure resources are focused where they provide the greatest benefit to personnel experience, operational readiness and future force requirements.
There have been a number of local initiatives to help improve the lived experience of Service personnel. They include ablution and fire alarm upgrades, kitchenette installation and wifi installation throughout the blocks.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a risk assessment of outsourcing to the private sector the operation and maintenance of the Solid State Phased Array Radar at RAF Fylingdales.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Private-sector support to the Solid State Phased Array Radar at RAF Fylingdales is longstanding. The recent contract activity represents the continuation and re-let of existing support arrangements, rather than a new decision to outsource the capability.
The contractual re-lets were subject to the Ministry of Defence's established investment, commercial, security, safety and risk-assurance processes.
Operational command of, and accountability for, the radar remain with the Ministry of Defence. Contractor personnel provide defined operational, maintenance and sustainment support within established contractual, security and technical governance arrangements.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prepare for a new Russian military mobilisation for its invasion of Ukraine in autumn 2026.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Prime Minister Burnham visited Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day for his first international visit and reiterated the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine and its independence.
We continue to liaise closely with the Ukrainian Government to ensure the capabilities we provide meet the demands of the conflict as it evolves.
Through the UK role as co-chair of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, we have successfully raised pledges of over $80 billion in military help to Ukraine. The UK will continue to drive international support to meet Ukraine's needs at the next meeting on the 8 September.
As emphasised by the Prime Minister in Kyiv, Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has undertaken analysis on the likelihood of (a) Egypt, (b) Japan, (c) Saudi Arabia, (d) South Korea, (e) Turkey and (f) Taiwan obtaining independent nuclear deterrents.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK keeps the global nuclear proliferation landscape under close and continuous review. Any further nuclear proliferation would not make the world a safer place and would undermine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which remains the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation architecture. I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that assessments on proliferation are not publicly released.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the disposal of land at Parsons Barracks; and what land at MOD Donnington he plans to retain for strategic defence purposes.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has researched the potential need for Venning Barracks in delivering future strategic defence policy.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the HM Armed Forces Veteran ID card is accepted as photo identification by (a) banks, (b) foreign exchange services and (c) polling stations.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card was introduced to improve recognition of our veterans and provide an easier way to prove veteran status when accessing the services, discounts and concessions available to veterans.
The Veteran Card is now accepted within the identity checking policies of many organisations including as identification for voting in elections, where it is included on the list of photographic identifications accepted in polling stations as voter ID, in addition to the already accepted MOD Form 90 Defence Identity Card. The Veteran Card can also be used as evidence in Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks and for some domestic flights with some airlines.
It is important to note that it is not a formal identity document, and different organisations will have their own policies in this regard. Banks are required to follow specific regulations and standards for identity verification, which specify a small number of official identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs continually advocates for wider acceptance of the Veteran Card where possible within legislative and sector-specific constrains.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research his Department has undertaken on the (a) disposal of Parsons Barracks and (b) use of that site for strategic defence purposes.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has undertaken analysis on the likelihood of (a) Egypt, (b) Japan, (c) Saudi Arabia, (d) South Korea, (e) Turkey and (f) Taiwan obtaining independent nuclear deterrents.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Defence to second homeland security personnel to the Royal Military Police to identify and counter extreme right wing activity in His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Answered by Al Carns
The British Army takes far-right extremism extremely seriously and is fully equipped to act swiftly and decisively where necessary to uphold its high standards. Robust measures are firmly in place to prevent and address any such activity. At present, there are no plans to second homeland security personnel to the Royal Military Police, as the Army's existing frameworks and partnerships effectively manage the identification and countering of extreme right-wing behaviour within His Majesty's Armed Forces.