We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
| Date | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Jul. 08 | Oral Questions | Oral Answers to Questions |
| Jul. 08 | Topical Questions | Topical Questions |
| May. 20 | Urgent Questions | Use of Torture Overseas |
| Sep. 03 | Written Statements | Reserve Forces and Cadets Association External Security Team Report 2019 |
| Jul. 25 | Westminster Hall | Mental Health Act 1983 |
| Oct. 14 | Adjournment Debate | Battle of Arnhem: 75th Anniversary |
| Title | Last Event | Next Event Date | Last Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Act 2018 | Royal Assent (Minutes of Proceedings) 8 February, 2018 | 12 Feb 2018, 2:48 p.m. | ||
| A Bill to make provision for members of the Regular Forces to serve part-time or subject to geographic restrictions | ||||
Ministry of Defence Select Committee Home Page
Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries, and the Select Committee will occasionally publish formal reports of their findings.
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 16 | Regional Employer Engagement Directors' contacts | Guidance and Regulation |
| Oct. 16 | MOD byelaws: North Yorkshire | Guidance and Regulation |
| Oct. 15 | New solar panels generate savings at Worthy Down | News and Communications |
Written Questions are submitted by Members of Parliament and the House of Lords to receive information or updates from a Department.
Departments are required to respond in a timely fashion and provide a response or requested information. Written Questions can compel detailed and specific information to be produced, and are frequently used as the source of news stories about the work of a Department.
| Date | Title | Questioner |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Oct 2019, 1:31 p.m. | Armed Forces: Training | Jim Shannon |
|
Question To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of recruits undertaking physical training courses. Answer (Johnny Mercer) We take our duty of care to our personnel very seriously, but risk is inherent in many activities carried out by the Armed Forces. This risk is rendered as low as reasonably practicable during training by ensuring that its design and delivery are subject to strict safety procedures and rigorous risk analysis. Training programmes are also subject to internal or external assurance and audit inspections including by OFSTED. On 1 April 2015, we established the Defence Safety Authority which brings together the Defence Safety Regulators and the Accident Investigation Branch, providing independent assurance to the Secretary of State in accordance with his health, safety and environmental policy statement. |
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