Asked by: Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedure allows them to implement changes to military air space which are requested by the Ministry of Defence to further peacetime operations.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK Flight Information Region airspace is neither specifically military or civilian. The Joint Air Navigation Services Council is responsible for the management of airspace and Air Traffic Service provision with a Joint and Integrated Approach between the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Defence.
These joint procedures are published in Civil Airspace Publication (CAP) 740 - UK Airspace Management Policy which is available on the Gov.uk website.
The practical policy guidance to enact an airspace change is published in CAP1616, again with the specific military stakeholder requirements considered throughout any change process.
Asked by: Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total annual cost of storing military aircraft awaiting commercial disposal.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the UK is taking to defend NATO's eastern flank.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The UK is one of four nations leading NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence, providing the Framework Battalion in Estonia and a reconnaissance squadron in Poland, joining the US-led force there. These defensive but combat-capable forces deliver reassurance to our Allies and deterrence against Russian belligerence. Next year we are deploying Typhoon aircraft to Romania to deliver Southern Air Policing, and will lead NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.
Asked by: Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in how many instances his Department's procurement section sought further information from a company with regard to potential corruption, bribery or fraud in the last two years.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) routinely carries out checks on potential contractors prior to contract award, including on criminal activity, such as convictions for tax evasion, bribery or fraud, and a review of a company's audited accounts. These enquiries are conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011.
This process is reiterated in all competitive and single source tender documentation issued to tenderers prior to any contract award.
Any suspicion of corruption is reported to the appropriate authority. Where justified, the MOD can exclude potential suppliers who pose an unacceptable risk to public money.
Asked by: Lord Davies of Gower (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the future of volunteer gliding schools in Wales.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I am fully supportive of Air Cadets having access to opportunities for gliding. To achieve this we require a laydown of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that meet the needs of all of our Cadets.
However, we continue to consider if there are viable site options in Wales which can be explored further, and I am due to meet with my hon. Friend shortly to discuss this matter.