Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 18 March (HL2986), who represents the UK on the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives and how they were chosen.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Human Security policy team in the Ministry of Defence are the policy owners and experts on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in Defence. They provide one civilian or active duty representative for the UK at the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP). This representative regularly attends NCGP meetings and has supported the revision of NATO’s updated WPS Policy (due to be published in 2024), and the revision of roles and relationships between the NCGP and the NATO Military Committee. UK representation in the NCGP will continue to be provided by the Ministry of Defence.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have nominated a candidate to sit on the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives Executive Committee.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Although the UK has not nominated a candidate to the Executive Committee this year, we are represented on the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) and are working closely with the Chair to formulate the programme of work for the next two years. The UK has been instrumental in updating the NCGP Terms of Reference to increase its influence and strengthen the Women, Peace and Security agenda at NATO.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to Commonwealth Graves in Manipur in India as a result of the current violence there; and what steps, if any, they are taking to protect them.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission are responsible for those sites overseas where World War casualties are interred and commemorated. The Commission are well apprised of both the security and general situation in the countries where they operate around the world, including India, and in monitoring the position the Commission maintain regular contact with the relevant in-country UK Embassy staffs.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many military personnel are on placements in (1) international non-governmental organisations, (2) civilian organisations, and (3) academic institutions.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The information requested is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) foreign and commonwealth serving military personnel, and (2) foreign and commonwealth veterans, have a special point of contact in the Ministry of Defence.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
All serving personnel, regardless of their nationality, have access to a comprehensive system of advice and support from their Chain of Command, welfare staff and Padres. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, it may be referred to the relevant Ministry of Defence policy owner, and where specialist advice or support is required, individuals will be sign posted to the appropriate organisations.
During transition from and after leaving the service, the Defence Transition Service (DTS) delivers a full range of transition support for individuals, as a service leaver or family member, working directly with the service leaver to provide tailored information and guidance. DTS will facilitate access to the support they need, whether that be from other Government departments, local authorities, the NHS or trusted charities. The Veterans UK Welfare Service provide support to all veterans both overseas and in the UK, regardless of nationality. This includes helping them to access the relevant information and advice they need about their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they communicate with, and understand the needs of, the spouses and families of military personnel to enable them to offer appropriate support.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Government maintains regular communication with the three single Services, the Armed Forces Families Federations, and Service Charities. These organisations represent and promote the needs of families to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and central Government by engaging in cross-sector fora, under the agreed principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The views of partners, spouses, and families of military personnel are gathered on an annual basis through the Families Continuous Attitudes Survey. The results of this survey influence policy making across Government. The MOD is also committed to capturing the opinions of young people, establishing a youth voice working group and hosting local youth fora. Young people attend and present on issues affecting them at senior Board meetings as well as being represented on the Youth Parliament British Forces Overseas.
The single Services ensure that families receive timely information via their HiVE service and provide a wide range of guidance and support to personnel, their families, veterans, and reservists. This is complimented by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which regularly holds interviews with key individuals on subjects of interest to families.
The Secretary of State for Defence publishes an annual Armed Forces Covenant Report which includes a chapter on the support provided to families across key areas including partner employment, healthcare, children’s education, wellbeing and housing. These reports include the Families Federations’ unedited observations of the Government’s progress in delivering its commitments under the Covenant and which inform future priorities.
An independent review into the needs of Service families ‘Living in Our Shoes’ was commissioned by the MOD in 2019 and published in June 2020. Alongside other research, its findings and recommendations are informing the refresh of the UK Armed Forces Families Strategy which the MOD expects to publish later this year. The Strategy will be supported by an Action Plan outlining targeted measures to improve outcomes for families over the course of the next two years.
During the Covid-19 pandemic it has never been more important to capture the needs of families and to make sure they feel understood and listened to. The HiVE services have played a critical role in getting the latest information to families. Over the course of the pandemic Chief of Defence People has twice written to families to thank them for their support and provide guidance and support on a range of issues including financial resilience, support for partners and spouses’ careers, and access to allowances.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to advocate for an implementation mechanism to give greater meaning and effect to the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK will take a view on the merits of an implementation mechanism for the Political Declaration on the Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare once its final form is known.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any contribution to the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas; and, if so, which department has made this contribution.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas will be implemented; and what monitoring mechanisms there will be.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas on (1) targeting of civilians, and (2) related reduction in civilian casualties.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.