Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the case (1) for preserving the historic fabric of RAF Scampton, (2) for commemorating (a) the 53 RAF personnel who died on the Dambusters Raid, and (b) the 55,573 who died in total during operations with RAF Bomber Command, and (3) for providing necessities for any refugees to be accommodated there.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministrt of Defence (MOD) has had to make some difficult decisions to dispose of sites, including the former RAF Scampton, that have become surplus to military requirements in accordance with HM Treasury guidance on the management of surplus Government land. As part of the disposal process, full consideration is always given to the history and heritage of a site. Leading up to the disposal of the former RAF Scampton, a number of heritage assets were relocated to other either RAF stations, returned to their private owners or donated to the local Scampton Heritage Group in order to preserve them for future generations.
The MOD is extremely proud of its personnel and those that gave their lives in the defence of the United Kingdom. The sacrifices made by these heroic individuals are remembered through the various memorials that are open to the public with the Dambusters squadron crew that lost their lives being represented by the memorial at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, and with the 55,573 Bomber Command crew that lost their lives being represented by the Bomber Command memorial located within The Green Park, London.
Questions on provision of necessities for any asylum seekers housed at the former RAF base in the future are a matter for the Home Office.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide more weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces, including (1) any necessary missiles, and (2) sufficient munitions for self-defence.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK has already committed £1.3 billion for military operations and lethal aid that has assisted Ukraine in defending itself and its sovereignty. We liaise on a daily basis with Ukraine to ensure we can continue to provide the defensive equipment it needs. We have recently announced that we will be providing multiple launch rocket systems which will provide Ukraine with a significant boost in capability.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to honour the UK’s commitments to the NATO military alliance.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK is stronger with its NATO Allies and our commitment to the Alliance is unwavering. We have committed our Continuous at Sea Nuclear Deterrent (CASD) to NATO for the past 50 years and we are contributing well-supported and highly equipped conventional fighting forces across all domains.
The UK remains the highest spending European Ally, meeting the NATO Defence Investment Pledge to spend at least 2% of GDP on Defence. We secured a generous £24 billion uplift in Spending Review 20, cementing our position as the second largest spender in NATO.
The UK contributes heavily to NATO deterrence activity, leading NATO's Forward Presence battlegroup in Estonia alongside Danish and French forces. We have also provided a Reconnaissance Squadron in Poland to support the US led battlegroup and are providing support to the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission.
At the NATO Summit in June, it is expected that NATO leaders will agree the new Strategic Concept. This will reaffirm our commitment to freedom, openness and the rules-based order. It must also ensure that the Alliance is fit for future challenges, including how to modernise and adapt to emerging threats, advanced technologies and improving national resilience.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their decision, announced in March 2021, to reduce the size of the army by 10,000 troops by 2025.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave on 24 May 2022 to the noble Lord, the Lord Coaker, in response to Questions HL43 and HL44.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for an immediate increase in UK defence (1) spending, and (2) equipment.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
We have already secured a generous £24 billion uplift in Spending Review 20 towards delivering the outcomes of the Integrated Review, the largest sustained spending increase since the end of the Cold War. Further analysis is required before we make substantial changes to our Equipment Plan, however the Russian invasion of Ukraine has provided an additional impetus to focus on its delivery.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of President Putin's role in Russian military decisions to attack (1) civilian targets, and (2) nuclear facilities, in Ukraine.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
As the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Putin provides direction and leadership of the Russian Armed Forces and is accountable for their actions.
The targeting of civilians and any civilian objects is not only abhorrent, but also a blatant violation of international law, and should not continue under any circumstances. These allegations only strengthen the need for an International Criminal Court investigation into Russian war crimes and for the world to stand together in defence of International Humanitarian Law.
Asked by: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to recognise the strategic role of the RAF Regiment in defending RAF airfields and bases in the UK and abroad as part of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy; and whether that review will take into account the adoption by NATO of the RAF Regiment's standards in airforce protection.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is fully committed to its part in supporting the successful delivery of the Government's ambition for the Integrated Review. It is too early to discuss specific capabilities, but I can assure you that this country will continue to have the world class Armed Forces that it needs and deserves.
We will continue to strengthen cooperation with our allies on security and intelligence, underpinned by the NATO alliance.