Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence from Air Marshal Richard Knighton to the Defence Committee on 8 November 2022, HC 726, whether the zero tolerance policy for unacceptable sexual behaviour will apply to trainees in phase one military establishments.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The 'Zero tolerance to unacceptable sexual behaviour: A victim / survivor focussed approach' policy sets out a presumption of discharge from the Service for those who are found, after investigation and to the civil standard of proof (balance of probability), to have engaged in unacceptable sexual behaviour. It applies to all Armed Forces personnel, including Phase 1 trainees.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Fourth Special Report of Session 2021-22 of the Defence Committee entitled Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report, what recent progress his Department has made on providing funding for the establishment of the Victim and Witness Care Unit of the Defence Serious Crime Unit.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU), part of the Defence Serious Crime Command, will focus on supporting the needs of victims and witnesses. Funding has been secured for the establishment of the VWCU and it is expected to be operational in March 2023. The VWCU will ensure access to independent welfare support based on individual needs. It will provide victims and witnesses with direct guidance and support on how the Service Justice System works and services available, ensuring they are well informed throughout the process.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will be the main activities of the new Victim and Witness Care Unit of the Defence Serious Crime Unit; and how many full-time employees it will have.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU), part of the Defence Serious Crime Command, will focus on supporting the needs of victims and witnesses. Funding has been secured for the establishment of the VWCU and it is expected to be operational in March 2023. The VWCU will ensure access to independent welfare support based on individual needs. It will provide victims and witnesses with direct guidance and support on how the Service Justice System works and services available, ensuring they are well informed throughout the process.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the new Victim and Witness Care Unit of the Defence Serious Crime Unit will be operational.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU), part of the Defence Serious Crime Command, will focus on supporting the needs of victims and witnesses. Funding has been secured for the establishment of the VWCU and it is expected to be operational in March 2023. The VWCU will ensure access to independent welfare support based on individual needs. It will provide victims and witnesses with direct guidance and support on how the Service Justice System works and services available, ensuring they are well informed throughout the process.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the refresh of the Integrated Review.
Answered by Ben Wallace
We are working across Government to support the update to the Integrated Review in line with Defence’s priorities. We will ensure we are investing in strategic capabilities and our alliances to deliver our priorities of protecting the nation, deterring our adversaries, and helping the nation prosper.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to injured Falkland Islands service personnel on operations, what his Department's policy is on (a) flying next of kin to the location of injured service personnel and (b) repatriating service personnel back to the Falklands if necessary.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Department's relevant policies are contained within Joint Service Publication 751 (Joint Casualty and Compassionate Policy and Procedures). Up to three family members or friends are eligible for travel, at public expense, to visit a dangerously ill or injured Service person (SP), if it benefits the SP to do so and the location is deemed safe for visitors. Repatriation of SP will also be paid for at public expense. The policy includes travel from/to anywhere in the world, including the Falkland Islands.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of when the Defence Recruitment System will again be operational online.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Army, in collaboration with Defence Digital, is working hard to resume digital recruiting through the Defence Recruitment System (DRS) as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Army has enacted its Business Continuity Plan, while DRS remains offline.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government's response to the Defence Committee's Second Report on Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life, published in December 2021, what progress he has made on scoping hosting an international conference in 2022 with partner nations.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We are grateful to all the women who contributed to the Defence Committee's report and continue to implement the bold changes necessary in this area. As stated in our response, Defence is committed to understanding best practice within other Armed Forces and Government Departments. As part of this, we are well advanced in our planning to host an international conference this year with partner nations and learn with our allies who share similar challenges. Further details on the conference will be published in due course.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of when HMS Somerset will (a) commence sea trials and (b) be programmed for re-entry into service.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Type 23 frigate class is continually being updated and upgraded to meet new threats or to replace obsolete technology, this is achieved via a Through Life Management Plan.
On current plans, HMS SOMERSET is expected to commence sea trials in early 2022 and is currently anticipated to be ready to generate training and operations later in the year.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Triumph will start her re-fit program; and what the anticipated date is that she will re-enter service.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Government does not disclose operational information about Royal Navy submarines, as to do so could prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.