Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on veteran's welfare of the temporary closure of the Veterans UK telephone helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The full range of veterans' support services, including the Veterans UK helpline and Welfare Service, has continued to be provided throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 situation necessitated the delivery of helpline services in a different manner and call backs and referral to the Veterans Welfare Service were made where urgent or vulnerable veterans were identified. The Veterans helpline telephony service has now resumed operations.
Veterans UK has helped over 13,000 veterans since 23 March. In addition, approximately 470,000 monthly pension and compensation scheme payments continue to be paid into nominated accounts.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the (1) government of Ireland, and (2) political parties in Northern Ireland, about the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill relates to the conduct of the UK Armed Forces outside of the UK. The operation of the UK Armed Forces is a reserved matter and one for the UK Government. The introduction of the Bill in the House of Commons is just the start of the process, and the Ministry of Defence will continue to engage with stakeholders across the UK throughout the Bill’s progress through Parliament.
No discussions have taken place with the Irish Government on the contents of this Bill.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force personnel are on secondment to BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia; what the role of such personnel is; and what the cost to the public purse of that secondment is.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
As at 28 February 2017 the total number of RAF personnel on secondment with BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia is 22. These personnel are in aircraft engineering support and aircrew instructor training roles.
RAF seconded personnel are paid directly by BAE Systems therefore there is no cost to the public purse.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how he and the Prime Minister are routinely informed of the results of scheduled tests of the Trident missile system; and what the average length of time is between such tests being carried out and he and the Prime Minister being so informed.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The Prime Minister and I are routinely informed of the outcome of Demonstration and Shakedown Operations.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report, published on 12 October 2016, on the collision involving the MV Karen fishing boat from Ardglass, County Down in the Irish Sea on 15 April 2016.
Answered by Mike Penning
As recognised in the Marine Accident Investigation Report (MAIB), the Royal Navy has already taken actions as a result of this incident. We are now considering the MAIB's report and its conclusions and recommendations to identify what further actions may be required. I will be visiting Northern Ireland soon and go to Ardglass.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with senior officials in the Royal Navy on the recommendations of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on the collision involving the MV Karen fishing boat from Ardglass, County Down in the Irish Sea on 15 April 2016.
Answered by Mike Penning
As recognised in the Marine Accident Investigation Report (MAIB), the Royal Navy has already taken actions as a result of this incident. We are now considering the MAIB's report and its conclusions and recommendations to identify what further actions may be required. I will be visiting Northern Ireland soon and go to Ardglass.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the source was of the military device that washed ashore between Murlough and Newcastle in Northern Ireland on 6 March 2016.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The item found on Murlough Beach on 6 March 2016 was a High Explosive Anti Tank rocket, which was used by UK Armed Forces from the early 1950s through to the early 1970s. It was destroyed on site by the Explosives Ordnance Disposal team that attended the incident.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the (a) number of unexploded military devices in the Irish Sea and (b) risk such devices pose to coastal areas.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Ministry of Defence (MOD) assessment of historic sea dumped munitions in the British Isles has been placed in the public domain and may be accessed via the following link:
The MOD (in conjunction with the Department for Transport) continues to operate a programme which routinely surveys the UK's busiest waters to ensure both port security and safety from historic ordnance. These surveys focus on the main channels used by commercial shipping, both within the ports and on approach routes including, in the case of the Clyde, the channels used by our vessels.
Throughout the UK, any ordnance discovered ashore or at sea is a police or coastguard matter but is automatically referred to the MOD who hold Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units on standby to offer initial safety advice then attend and render safe the ordnance. There are well established maritime procedures to ensure any hazards and associated activities are promulgated to shipping and where necessary exclusion zones established and enforced, ensuring that when ordnance is occasionally discovered, it remains undisturbed until rendered safe by an assigned EOD unit.