Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost of UK participation in EU defence proposals; whether such costs will be met from the UK's defence budget; and whether they will ensure that NATO will remain the military defence organisation for the defence of Europe.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
As NATO's leading European ally, we remain fully committed to NATO as the cornerstone of European defence and security. As set out in the Political Declaration on the future relationship between the UK and EU, the Government has offered to cooperate closely on defence and security, as part of an ambitious Security Partnership, on a case-by-case basis, where of mutual benefit. The terms and costs of such cooperation will be subject to future negotiations.
Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston has been placed on special measures for the fourth year running; whether the AWE has produced a plan for dealing with high levels of radioactive waste; if not, why not; and whether they have made an assessment of the extent to which any failure to do so puts staff and residents in the area surrounding that establishment at risk.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has stated that safety at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites is acceptable. The ONR's decision to place the AWE Aldermaston site under enhanced regulatory attention was due to issues relating principally to ageing facilities, which do not pose any immediate safety concerns.
AWE has a plan in place for the long-term safe management of radioactive waste and this has resulted in the successful closure of the ONR's Improvement Notice regarding this matter.
The Ministry of Defence works closely with AWE, monitoring all aspects of its performance, including regulatory compliance.
Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reported remarks of the Secretary of State for Defence on 3 February that Russia had carried out a sustained campaign of cyber attacks against the UK, whether they will publish the evidence supporting that statement; whether they have made formal representations to the government of Russia with a view to ending any such campaign; and if so, with what result.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
In his speech of 2 February 2017 the Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael Fallon) spoke about widely reported examples of Russian cyber activity against countries around the world. He acknowledged that the United Kingdom (UK), along with its Allies, is strengthening its capability to resist any form of attack.
The UK will attribute specific cyber incidents privately or publicly when we judge it in the national interest to do so. We currently consider public attribution on a case by case basis.
Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Earl Howe on 18 November (HLWS268) concerning the call-out of Reserve Forces for service in Afghanistan, what is the purpose of a continued British military presence in that country, and why it is necessary to use Reserve Forces rather than serving personnel.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The UK continues to make a key contribution to NATO's Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT; non-combat, train, advise and assist mission to build a secure and stable Afghanistan. Our forces are focussed on mentoring at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and advising Ministers and officials in the Afghan Security Ministries. The UK also leads the Kabul Security Force, which coordinates security for NATO personnel in Kabul, holds the position of Deputy Commander Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT and contributes three Puma helicopters to assist UK and NATO mobility.
Reserve Forces make an essential contribution to delivering the nation's security and are a highly valued part of our Armed Forces. The Army 2020 structure sets out our whole force concept, and our Reserve Forces serve alongside their Regular counterparts on operations around the world, including the UK's current military contribution to NATO's Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT in Afghanistan.
Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Earl Howe on 18 January concerning a gifting package to Ukraine (HLWS463), whether this gift will be financed from the overseas aid budget, the defence budget, or another source.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The gift of 3,500 first aid kits will be purchased using funds from Her Majesty's Government's Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF). The CSSF is a cross-Whitehall fund. As well as defence reform, the CSSF Ukraine programme supports a number of interventions including strategic communications, peace-building activities and support to international organisations.
Asked by: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the statement by the President of the European Commission Mr Jean-Claude Juncker that the European Union should have its own army; whether the statement was approved by the European Council; and whether they will renew their opposition to such a policy.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
Mr Juncker's statement was not approved by the EU Member States. The UK remains firmly opposed to centralised EU command or control over military forces, which remains a Member State competence, and has successfully kept the EU focused on strengthening its co-operation with NATO which holds primacy in defence matters.
The Prime Minister made this clear at the December 2013 European Council where strengthened EU-NATO partnership was agreed to be one of the key deliverables. It will be raised again as a fundamental agenda item at the June 2015 European Council where EU Member States will look for ways to further enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
The Government's views on this matter have been consistent and transparent and any attempt to form an 'EU army' would be blocked by the UK. We will continue to emphasise our views to partners and will remain vigilant on the issue.