Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which media representatives were aboard HMS Defender in the Black Sea on 23 June; and what was the reason for their invitation.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The BBC and Daily Mail defence correspondents were aboard HMS Defender on 23 June. The Ministry of Defence regularly grants access for media outlets to military operations. The practice of embedding journalists on military operations has been commonplace for decades as this helps facilitate independent reporting on defence activity and matters of national and international security.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the anticipated deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Pacific is part of a wider policy for an increase in the UK's involvement in international Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The deployment of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH will demonstrate the UK's commitment to upholding a rules-based international system and showcase our world-leading carrier capability. Detailed planning continues but the Government has yet to announce its programme or destination. Once plans have been agreed, the Government will bring a statement on the deployment before Parliament.
The UK has enduring interests in the region and is committed to maintaining regional security, including asserting its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight as laid out in UNCLOS. Wherever the Royal Navy operate, they do so in full compliance with international laws and norms and exercise their rights to freedom of navigation and overflight provided for by UNCLOS.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the anticipated deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Pacific is part of a new regional foreign policy strategy; and if so, what is that new strategy.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly important for the UK, as it is at the centre of global economic growth, and a region of increasing geostrategic significance. Across Government, plans are being developed for broader and deeper engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. These plans will be informed by the Integrated Review.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
The Senior Deputy Speaker what is his roadmap for restoring the (1) procedures, and (2) sitting patterns, in place in the House of Lords before COVID-19.
Answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith
The Procedure and Privileges Committee has been meeting weekly and has made a series of changes to procedure to allow the House to sit first virtually and then as a hybrid House. We will continue to keep procedures under review and listen to feedback from members and staff. Advice from Public Health England has been central to all the Committee’s considerations and plans to return to physical sittings and procedures will depend on how and when that advice changes.
The sitting patterns of the House are a matter for the Usual Channels.