Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support he is providing to the Government of Mozambique to tackle jihadists in north eastern Mozambique.
Answered by James Heappey
Through the British High Commission in Maputo, the UK is in regular contact with the Government of Mozambique and has discussed support in tackling the growing terrorist insurgency in North East Mozambique; centred on the Cabo Delgado region. The problem requires a cross Government response, including tackling the underlying issues which foster the conditions of such an insurgency. Whilst some Defence activity has been paused during the current Covid19 movement restrictions, we anticipate increasing our engagements once restrictions are lifted, facilitated by a defence cooperation Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in May 2019.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will offer additional defence support to his Georgian counterpart in respect of the continued borderization of that country's sovereign territory by Russia.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK remains concerned by the political and human rights situation in the Georgian breakaway regions and is unwavering in support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
We were disturbed by recent reports of Russian forces and the de-facto authorities in the breakaway region of South Ossetia working to create "borders" within Georgia. Through the British Embassy in Tbilisi and in statements at the Council of Europe and the OSCE we have been clear that such actions must stop.
We remain completely committed to our bilateral defence relationship with Georgia, and fully support Georgia's NATO aspirations. We will continue to support the Georgian MOD to enhance their capabilities to assure a better level of security and resilience to defend their own state.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of Ministry of Defence personnel deployed in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
In February 2015 the Government decided to withdraw diplomatic staff and suspend the operations of the British Embassy in Sana'a. The Ministry of Defence's Defence Attaché currently operates from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has not visited Yemen since 2015. As the previous Foreign Secretary said in his written statement of 23 May 2018 (HCWS716), the UK remains committed to supporting the legitimate security needs of Saudi Arabia and guarding against the danger of regional escalation. To this end we are providing information, advice and assistance to Saudi Arabia to respond to the threat from Houthi missiles fired from Yemen.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his plans are for the future of the RAF Cosford Airshow; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
A self-funded event, the successful 2018 Cosford Air Show attracted a capacity crowd of approximately 60,000 visitors. It raised around £100,000 for the RAF100 Appeal and local charities. Arrangements for the 2019 Air Show have commenced, which will again be self-funding, with the aim of benefiting charitable causes. The planned date for the show will be 9 June 2019.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his plans are for the future of RAF Cosford.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
RAF Cosford, which is home to the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, remains a key site in the delivery of technical training.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with the Board of Combat Stress on its plans to end residential care for veterans at Audley Court, Newport, Shropshire.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Combat Stress’ contract with NHS England for the provision of places on a six week residential intensive programme for veterans living in England finishes on 31 March 2018. It is for Combat Stress to decide how they operate in the future. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) understands that Combat Stress has no plans to close Audley Court.
We encourage Service personnel and veterans wishing to seek help with mental health problems to visit: www.gov.uk/mental-health-support-for-the-uk-armed-forces. Veterans can also call the 24-hour veterans’ mental health helpline, provided by Combat Stress, on 0800 138 1619. Information and advice on services is available through the MOD’s Veterans UK or the Veterans Gateway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to deploy Royal Navy ships to the Black Sea for training exercises.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Royal Navy regularly deploys as part of national, bi-lateral, and multi-national training exercises all over the world, including the Black Sea. We do not disclose the detail of specific future exercises, operations or engagements as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish his Department's policy on the procurement of Autonomous Weapons Systems.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not possess any fully autonomous weapon systems and has no plans to develop, procure or operate them. MOD policy is clear that all weapon systems will be under human control.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK's submarine fleet is not detected by unmanned underwater vehicles deployed for anti-submarine warfare purposes.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence places a high priority on assuring the effectiveness of our submarine fleet and countering threats to our submarine operations. We continue to monitor and evaluate capabilities and technologies that could threaten submarines, including cyber and unmanned vehicles. It would not be appropriate to go into specific detail of the steps taken to mitigate against these threats. We assess, however, that the ocean will remain a complex and challenging environment in which to conduct large scale anti-submarine warfare, despite advancements in technologies. We are therefore confident that our submarine fleet remains safe and secure.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who his Department has consulted on the development of the UK's Air Power Doctrine; and when he expects to publish that doctrine.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Work will commence on the next UK Air and Space Doctrine in the summer of 2016 and it is expected to be published in 2017. As with the previous version published in 2013, the RAF will consult widely across Defence as well as in the academic community. Research will draw on similar work from sources such as NATO and the United States Air Force.
In addition, the Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) will review the related Joint Doctrine Note (JDN): The UK Approach to Unmanned Systems. The intention is to publish the revised doctrine by autumn 2016.