Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many former Locally Employed Staff have made applications for relocation or other assistance under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy; how many of these applications have (1) been processed, and (2) are waiting to be processed; what is the average length of time for an application to be processed; and how long they expect it will take to clear any backlog.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Since January 2022 we have received approximately 3,000 ARAP applications per month. Given many of these are speculative or duplicates, we cannot provide precise data as to processed or waiting to be processed numbers.
Application processing times can vary given the complexities of individual circumstances such as, but not limited to, their ability to respond to requests for information, their location, access to IT or employment checks.
However, the speed of decision making in HM Government does not solely determine the speed of evacuation. Many ARAP applicants are undocumented and cannot leave Afghanistan through any official route. We are bringing them out at the speed our partners in the region will allow.
To date, we have relocated over 9,600 eligible individuals and their dependents and we estimate that there are 8,000 (inclusive of their dependents) ARAP eligible individuals still to be relocated to the UK. This figure is subject to change as we continue to work through the outstanding applications.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, either (1) unilaterally, or (2) with NATO partners, with the government of Turkey about the future of the S-400 missile defence system which that country acquired from Russia in 2019.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
As a close ally of Turkey, the UK has expressed its disappointment on numerous occasions, both publicly and privately since 2019, that Turkey purchased the S-400 system. As one of Turkey's closest international partners, the UK has emphasised repeatedly that this system poses a threat to NATO systems. We continue to encourage Turkey to recommit to find a way through this impasse with the US and other Allies.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British troops they are preparing to deploy to the countries on NATO's eastern flank, including (1) the Baltic States, (2) Bulgaria, and (3) Romania; and how many British troops they are preparing to deploy to those NATO countries which directly border Ukraine.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK is currently finalising its contribution to NATO's reinforced deterrence and defence posture. We already make a long-term enduring contribution to NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia and Poland (Op CABRIT) totalling just over 1,000 Service personnel.
NATO is and has always been a defensive Alliance, which does not threaten Russia or any other country. We remain committed to our dual-track approach of strong defence and meaningful dialogue. In the NATO-Russia Council earlier this year, Allies made clear to Russia that any further aggression that threatens Ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity would carry a significant cost.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British troops are serving in Iraq; and in what capacity such troops are serving.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
At the request of the Iraqi Government, 151 personnel are deployed to Iraq in support of the Global Coalition against Daesh.
UK personnel are deployed in an 'advise, assist, enable' capacity, serving in support of the Iraqi Security Forces to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of China is developing a new nuclear weapon delivery system.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
China is continuing to undertake a significant modernisation of its nuclear forces. We keep under review all global nuclear risks to the UK, our interests and our allies. The UK will continue to work with international partners to prevent proliferation and make progress on multilateral nuclear disarmament so we can take tangible steps toward a safer and more stable world.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the total cost of British military operations in Afghanistan since 2001.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The total cost of British military operations in Afghanistan since 2001 (up to and including financial year 2019-20) was £22.7 billion.
Details of expenditure for financial year 2020-21 will be included in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts that will be published later this year.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports of design flaws in the Ajax armoured fighting vehicles, what is the timetable for delivery of the Ajax Armoured Vehicle programme; and what assessment they have made of whether the programme will be delivered (1) on time, and (2) in budget.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The current forecast Initial Operating Capability, or IOC, is 30 June 2021, with a 50% confidence, and a 90% confidence for September 2021. To be clear the Department will not take the programme into IOC until we are confident that we have achieved what we need to achieve at this stage of the vehicle’s development.
The contract with General Dynamics Land Systems UK is a firm price contract to deliver the requirement in a set budget.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister last spoke to (1) the President of Russia, and (2) the President of China, about the military presence of those countries within the Arctic Circle; and what discussions they have had with (a) the government of Russia, and (b) the government of China, at any ministerial level about that issue.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK's primary objective in the Arctic is to maintain the region as one characterised by high levels of international cooperation and low tensions. We support the Arctic Council and continue to play an active role in its work as a state observer, and are committed to working with our partners to ensure that increasing access to the region and its resources is managed safely, sustainably and responsibly. Russia and China's military presence in the Arctic has not been part of any recent Prime Ministerial or Ministerial discussions.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the request of sanctuary in the UK from the eight Iraqi interpreters employed by TBW Global to interpret for UK forces at Camp Taji; and what steps they are taking to support those interpreters.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes all claims of intimidation or threats to locally recruited workers (LRWs) very seriously and as such has responded to these allegations, directly engaging with the interpreters in question. MOD has set contracting standards which require that people must be as safe and secure as reasonably possible when working in our support. We continue to hold our contractors to these high standards.
As part of the MOD's own investigation a specialist investigator interviewed all eight of the LRWs. Individual risk assessments were completed, and bespoke security advice was given pertaining to their situation. Further work will now be undertaken to decide if subsequent interventions are required, however it is unlikely that the situation would warrant relocation to the UK. The contractor has also offered advice and support.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Campaign Against Arms Trade publication in August of a list of 17 countries which received some form of British military training between 2018 and 2020, (1) what defence engagement has taken place in each such country, and (2) how they have ensured that such engagement complies with international humanitarian law.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The nature and scale of Defence Engagement with the countries mentioned in the CAAT publication varies considerably according to the nature of the wider UK relationship with these countries. Information on all forms of Defence Engagement is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Our Defence Engagement programmes, and particularly the Defence Education & Training we provide to foreign nations, will stress the need to respect International Law and the importance of adhering to international standards, for example with regard to human rights, human security, transparency & corruption, and civilian oversight and control of the Armed Forces.
All Defence Engagement is informed by an assessment of the potential impact of providing assistance on risks relating to human rights and International Humanitarian Law.