Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the communications system supporting UK Reapers utilises the US Predator Primary Satellite Link and relay station at Ramstein airbase, Germany.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
I am withholding the information, as disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and relations between the United Kingdom and other states.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department will lead the joint French-UK Reaper training; and where that training will take place.
Answered by Philip Dunne
We routinely discuss with France our respective ISTAR capability requirements, including with regards to Reaper. However, no decision has been made on leading joint Reaper training, nor on where any training might take place.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether France has requested the deployment in Africa of any UK Reapers or other unmanned aerial systems.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
We routinely discuss with France our respective operational deployments, including those of Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets, in those parts of the world where both UK and French Forces are engaged. But we have received no formal French request for deployment of Reaper or other UK unmanned aerial systems in Africa.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on establishing a Joint Command for Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Owing to the particular capabilities that each Unmanned Aerial System delivers and the different environments in which they work, operational Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are controlled by Air, Army, and Navy Commands and there is no plan to establish a Joint Command for UAS.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 23 February 2015 to Question 224466, whether the Strategic Defence and Security Review will address the issues identified in Joint Doctrinal Note 2/11, the UK Approach to Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Answered by Michael Fallon
Work has begun on the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Review will consider the changing international and domestic security environment and assess what defence capabilities will address the threats we face.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the post-Afghanistan review carried out by the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the US Navy.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The report, which has yet to be finalised, is being written by a US research organisation working on behalf of the US Navy, in partnership with the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters. Its eventual placement in the Library of the House would need to include consideration of any operational sensitivities for the UK or partners, in full consultation with the US Navy.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2015 to Question 222433, on Syria, whether UK Reapers in Syria are conducting (a) pattern of life analyses, (b) collateral damage estimates and (c) battle damage assessments.
Answered by Julian Brazier
While operating over Syria, UK Reapers conduct a range of surveillance tasks. No UK Reaper missions have been conducted in Syria other than for surveillance purposes.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2015 to Question 226256, on RAF Croughton, what the dates were of the (a) Host Nation Notification and (b) Host Nation Response made in connection with the European Infrastructure Consolidated Review.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Following a period of consultation, Host Nation Notification in connection with the European Infrastructure Consolidated Review was received on 7 January 2015 and responded to on the same day.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) Watchkeeper and (b) other unmanned aerial vehicles belonging to his Department were operated outside designated airspace in connection with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Answered by Julian Brazier
No.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will introduce a compensation scheme for civilian casualties in Iraq.
Answered by Mark Francois
When targeting ISIL terrorists we do all we can to minimise the risk of causing casualties among the civilian population. Overall, the air campaign in Iraq is being conducted with precision and we do not believe that there have been any civilian casualties arising from UK actions. We are currently in discussion with our coalition partners with a view to agreeing a mechanism for tracking, reporting, investigating and responding to allegations of civilian casualties. Responses to individual allegations will vary according to circumstances.