Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

James Gray Excerpts
Monday 20th November 2023

(11 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Heappey Portrait James Heappey
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While I was grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his initial question, he also gives me an opportunity to make an important clarification. Rivet Joint is not flying in support of Israel; it is flying to observe the risk of escalation in the region, to inform decision making in the UK MOD, and for nothing else.

James Gray Portrait James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con)
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Is my right hon. Friend concerned about the volcanic activity in Iceland at the moment? The P-8 regularly uses Keflavik airport near Reykjavik. Could that be interrupted by the threatened volcanic activity?

James Heappey Portrait James Heappey
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To the relief of people everywhere hoping for a Christmas getaway, I am told that this particular volcanic ash is not the same as that of last time and thus does not pose such a threat to aviation. However, we are, of course, monitoring it carefully and have contingencies.