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 - Shadow Minister (Defence)
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 - Shadow Minister (Defence)
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 - Shadow Minister (Defence)
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 where the Centre of Excellence for Human Security, as announced on 4 April, will be based.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Centre of Excellence for Human Security, as announced on 4 April, has been allocated funding.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the courses delivered by the Centre of Excellence for Human Security will be accredited.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of the British Armed Forces had injuries that required amputee sockets in the last (1) five, (2) 10, and (3) 15 years.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The following numbers of UK Armed Forces personnel received a prosthetic limb in the last five, 10 and 15 Financial Years (FY):
Period | Number of Personnel Receiving a Prosthetic Limb |
FY 2013-14 to 2017-18 | 47 |
FY 2008-09 to 2017-18 | 308 |
FY 2003-04 to 2017-18 | 356 |
This includes both Regular and Reservist Armed Forces personnel, injured in operational and non-operational environments. It does not include those who only received a digit prosthetic or those who had an amputation since leaving the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Ministry of Defence takes into account (1) a spouse’s employment, (2) children’s education requirements, and (3) children’s health and disability requirements, when considering whether to relocate or retain military quarters for a couple or family in the context of a change of posting within 50 miles.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Entitlement to Service accommodation at a duty station normally ends when the next assignment begins, whether or not the new duty station is within 50 miles of the previous location. However, Service personnel may apply to retain their Service accommodation at their previous duty station. The Ministry of Defence will consider each case in light of the policy criteria, taking account of all the factors specified within the application. Such factors may include a spouse's employment, children's education requirements and children's health and disability requirements.
More information on the policy, how to apply, and the factors included within MOD's consideration, can be found at paragraph 0725 of Volume 1, Part 1 of the Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (Joint Service Publication 464) which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-464-tri-service-accommodation-regulations-tsars
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the policy of the Ministry of Defence on the retention of military quarters when there is a change of posting within 50 miles.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Entitlement to Service accommodation at a duty station normally ends when the next assignment begins, whether or not the new duty station is within 50 miles of the previous location. However, Service personnel may apply to retain their Service accommodation at their previous duty station. The Ministry of Defence will consider each case in light of the policy criteria, taking account of all the factors specified within the application. Such factors may include a spouse's employment, children's education requirements and children's health and disability requirements.
More information on the policy, how to apply, and the factors included within MOD's consideration, can be found at paragraph 0725 of Volume 1, Part 1 of the Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (Joint Service Publication 464) which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-464-tri-service-accommodation-regulations-tsars
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to consult with non-governmental organisations on the Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if so, what the process will be.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review is a full review of the threats we face and the capabilities we need to tackle them. It will consider how best to deploy our defence, diplomacy, development aid and homeland security efforts together. As part of this work, we will engage with a range of audiences, including non-governmental organisations.