Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps with his EU partners and the US Department of Defense to improve the traceability and tracking of small arms and light weapons provided to the Kurdish Regional government for use in fighting against ISIS.
Answered by Michael Fallon
All military equipment exported from the UK, including the gifting of small arms to the Kurdistan Regional Government is subject to stringent assessment against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. This includes assessment of the end-use and likelihood of the equipment being diverted. As part of the provision of small arms to the Kurdistan Regional Government, the UK also requested and received assurances on handling, secure storage and useage from the Ministry of Peshmerga as the responsible Government authority in charge of end-use.
The Government is committed to the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). This is a core international instrument for tackling these issues and the Government is committed to its full implementation. The Government also supports the work carried out by the EU as part of its Small Arms and Light Weapons Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of collaboration between his Department and UK defence companies in developing an independent UK unmanned aerial vehicles' capacity; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Philip Dunne
Our policy remains to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment and support they need, at the right time, and at a cost that represents value for the taxpayer. For the majority of our requirements, this is best achieved through open competition on the global market. As such, the Ministry of Defence collaborates with both UK and overseas defence companies on the development, production and support of current and future Unmanned Air Systems capabilities, based on individual user requirements.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received a request from the Tunisian government for military training to improve border security between Tunisia and Libya.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Following discussions in November 2014, we are planning to deliver border security training to Tunisian Forces on the Libyan border later this year.
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 consider expansion of the UK's airborne ISTAR capabilities as part of the SDSR.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The Strategic Defence and Security Review will look across the spectrum to assess what defence capabilities will address the threats we face.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the UK's counter- (a) chemical, (b) biological (c) radiological and (d) nuclear capabilities.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Ministry of Defence has a range of capabilities which contribute to the Government's overall strategy to counter the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threat. Defence has a number of programmes in train to enhance its Counter-CBRN capabilities to detect and remove CBRN threats and to protect UK Forces in the event of an attack. Building on existing capabilities, this will deliver a UK response that includes: early warning and detection, individual and collective protection, treatment and post-crisis management, and intelligence and analysis.