Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of the UK Armed Forces who served as members of the British Commanders’-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany during its years of operation between 1946 and 1990 are still alive; and how many of those individuals received either a commendation, gallantry award or state honour as a result of their service on BRIXMIS.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government for what reasons they decided to institute the Bomber Command Clasp.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Following Sir John Holmes' independent Medal Review in 2012, the Bomber Command Clasp to the 1939-45 Star was introduced for aircrew who served in Bomber Command. Sir John concluded that Bomber Command had been treated inconsistently with those who served in the Battle of Britain, and his recommendation of the award of a clasp to Bomber Command air crew brought them into line with Fighter Command veterans, who were awarded a Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939-45 Star.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government for what reasons they decided to institute the Arctic Convoy Star.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Following Sir John Holmes' independent Medal Review in 2012, the Arctic Star was introduced for veterans of the Arctic Convoys to Russia from 1942-1944. Sir John concluded that a separate Star for the Arctic was warranted on the basis that this comprised a distinct theatre of war in its own right, and his recommendation of the award of a bespoke campaign medal brought Arctic convoy veterans into line with awards for other distinct campaigns, such as the Africa and Italy Stars.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider the decision not to award a clasp to the General Service Medal for service in BRIXMIS.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Cases regarding historic medallic recognition are a matter for the independent Advisory Military Sub-Committee (AMSC) to consider.
In 2020, the AMSC considered the issue of awarding a clasp to the General Service Medal for service on the British Commander-in-Chief's Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS), and the recommendation of the Sub-Committee was that BRIXMIS did not meet the criteria for medallic recognition. This recommendation was accepted by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. Any review of this issue would be for the AMSC to consider in the first instance.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to cover the cost of military equipment supplied to Ukraine from central funds; and if so, how this amount will be calculated.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The government remains committed to supporting Ukraine to defend itself in response to Putin’s illegal invasion, providing £2.3 billion in military support to Ukraine in Financial Year 2022-23, as well as additional funding for replenishment of stocks already donated to Ukraine.
Replenishment of granted assets is managed under a standing arrangement between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury, with funding provided from Treasury reserves.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the announcement that defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, whether they plan to provide a breakdown of estimated defence spending for each financial year from 2022 to 2030 in terms of (1) percentage of GDP, and (2) pounds sterling.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
While the Department does not routinely publish forecast figures for its spending, a further spending review will be required to determine the available budget beyond 2025. This in turn will determine the annual profile for the years the settlement covers.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether regular officers and soldiers serving in (1) the Royal Gibraltar Regiment; (2) the Cayman Islands Regiment, (3) the Turks and Caicos Regiment, (4) the Bermuda Regiment, (5) the Falkland Islands Defence Force, and (6) the Royal Montserrat Defence Force, are entitled to qualify for (a) the Long Service, and (b) the Good Conduct Medal.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Full and part-time members of British Overseas Territories Defence Forces and Regiments were formerly eligible for the same long service and efficiency awards as UK Reserve Forces.
With successive policy changes over the past few decades and particularly following the introduction of the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999, it is acknowledged there is a need to ensure clarity in relation to the grounds for eligibility.
The basis for continued eligibility to UK awards is currently under review and the outcome will be communicated in due course.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether volunteer reserves serving in (1) the Royal Gibraltar Regiment; (2) the Cayman Islands Regiment, (3) the Turks and Caicos Regiment, (4) the Bermuda Regiment, (5) the Falkland Islands Defence Force, and (6) the Royal Montserrat Defence Force, are entitled to qualify for (a) the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, and (b) the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Full and part-time members of British Overseas Territories Defence Forces and Regiments were formerly eligible for the same long service and efficiency awards as UK Reserve Forces.
With successive policy changes over the past few decades and particularly following the introduction of the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 1999, it is acknowledged there is a need to ensure clarity in relation to the grounds for eligibility.
The basis for continued eligibility to UK awards is currently under review and the outcome will be communicated in due course.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether replacements for the munitions gifted to Ukraine have been ordered; and which Government department will pay for them.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Ministry of Defence continually manages and reviews all of its stocks of weapons and munitions to ensure that it can meet its commitments, including supplying to Ukraine whilst maintaining sufficient stocks for the UK Armed Forces.
Where replenishment occasioned by the supply of stocks to Ukraine is required, this is expected to be funded from the HM Treasury Special Reserve.
Asked by: Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to respond to the Reserve Forces 2030 Review.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Reserve Forces 2030 Review was published on 12 May 2021. The Ministry of Defence is currently working to fully understand the implications of the review's 18 recommendations and their coherence with wider Defence work, before reaching decisions on the way forward. A formal response can be expected very early in 2022.