Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government which countries are currently banned from sending military personnel to the Royal College of Defence Studies.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Any decision to provide professional military education or training to a partner nation is made on a case-by-case basis and is underpinned by a robust assessment as to the benefits, risks, and compliance with international human rights law. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality in our international partnerships, it is not appropriate for the Government to comment on the provision of training to individual countries.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government why military personnel from (1) China, and (2) Qatar, are not banned from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The provision of professional military education or training to a foreign military is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of our partnerships and course availability, and is kept under regular review. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis and is underpinned by a robust assessment as to the benefits, risks, and compliance with international human rights law.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what air defence support, if any, they plan to provide to Israel to protect civilians and British nationals from air missile attack from Iran.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The safety of British nationals in the region is our top priority. The UK Government is working with Israeli authorities to arrange RAF and charter flights to help those wanting to leave.
We have been clear we support Israel's need to protect its security and people. We continue to work with international partners to encourage de-escalation and promote long-term peace and security in the Middle East.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what military aid and equipment they expect to have supplied to Ukraine by the end of the 2024–25 financial year; and what military aid and equipment they have committed to supply in 2025–26.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since the start of the conflict, we have provided Ukraine with over ten million rounds of various types of ammunition, delivered 500,000 artillery shells, hundreds of armoured vehicles, over 10,000 drones, a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks, Storm Shadow cruise missiles and over 15,000 anti-tank weapons.
We continue the high pace of delivery, and by the end of the financial year 2024-25 we will have delivered a further 10,000 drones under the drone capability coalition and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Continuous deliveries of military aid and equipment to Ukraine are planned for Financial Year 2025-26, including 15 Gravehawk air defence systems, a significant quantity of the recently announced 650 Lightweight Multi-Role Missiles (LMM), and the majority of the recently announced £150 million support package. We are in close dialogue with the Ukrainian Government to ensure the military aid and equipment meets their needs.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what resources they have provided to Ukraine through military equipment and aid since the start of the Russian invasion.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK's total military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine amounts to £12.8 billion.
The UK will spend £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine this year - more than ever before.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to increase military aid to Ukraine.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is steadfast in our commitment to continue to supply military assistance and the UK will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes. Last year, the Prime Minister recommitted to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine until 2030-31 and for as long as needed.
The UK is stepping up and speeding up its military assistance, spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine this year - more than ever before. We have also earmarked our additional $3 billion contribution under the ERA loan for military spending.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what role they have played in providing funding for the commemoration events in Northern Ireland for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings; and what additional allocations they have made to each of the 11 councils in Northern Ireland to help them (1) commemorate, or (2) provide funding to groups within their council area to commemorate, the anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total financial value of military support being provided to Ukraine in 2024/25; and how this figure compares to the amount of support provided in the previous two years.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)
As announced by the Prime Minister in his visit to Kyiv on 12 January 2024, UK military aid in support of Ukraine during Financial Year 2024-25 will be to the value of £2.5 billion, an increase of £200 million on the previous two years.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether military veterans living in Northern Ireland can fully access all provisions of the Armed Forces Covenant available in other parts of the UK.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Armed Forces Covenant continues to be a key Government priority and provides support to the Armed Forces community across the UK, ensuring that they are treated fairly. This commitment was strengthened in November 2022 with the introduction of a new statutory Covenant Duty. This places a duty of due regard on specific public bodies to ensure they consider the Covenant principles when conducting certain of their functions in healthcare, housing, and education, with the aim of improving outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
In addition, over 11,000 organisations have signed pledges in support of the Covenant to the wider benefit of the Armed Forces community.
The Armed Forces Covenant applies equally across the UK, including Northern Ireland. Good progress is being made in delivery of the Covenant in Northern Ireland, though its unique historical and political circumstances mean that delivery of the Covenant has to be approached in a different way to the rest of the UK. The Armed Forces Community in Northern Ireland is currently supported through 38 (Irish) Brigade, the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Veterans' Support Office. These organisations work with government departments, local councils, and the third sector to ensure that serving personnel and veterans, and their families, get the support they need.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant throughout all parts of the UK.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Armed Forces Covenant continues to be a key Government priority and provides support to the Armed Forces community across the UK, ensuring that they are treated fairly. This commitment was strengthened in November 2022 with the introduction of a new statutory Covenant Duty. This places a duty of due regard on specific public bodies to ensure they consider the Covenant principles when conducting certain of their functions in healthcare, housing, and education, with the aim of improving outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
In addition, over 11,000 organisations have signed pledges in support of the Covenant to the wider benefit of the Armed Forces community.
The Armed Forces Covenant applies equally across the UK, including Northern Ireland. Good progress is being made in delivery of the Covenant in Northern Ireland, though its unique historical and political circumstances mean that delivery of the Covenant has to be approached in a different way to the rest of the UK. The Armed Forces Community in Northern Ireland is currently supported through 38 (Irish) Brigade, the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Veterans' Support Office. These organisations work with government departments, local councils, and the third sector to ensure that serving personnel and veterans, and their families, get the support they need.