Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Armed Forces have the capability to supply Gaza with desalinated water.
Answered by James Heappey
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is coordinating the UK’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance through trusted partners, including the UN, to the people who need it in Gaza.
The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when needed to facilitate the FCDO’s response. As of 13 November, three RAF flights have delivered a total of 51 tonnes of aid to Egypt. The shipments contained lifesaving items, including water purification equipment.
Royal Navy assets are in the region, and have the ability to support the humanitarian effort when the opportunity arises. We continue to monitor the situation and consider what further assistance Defence could contribute to the UK and international efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the Royal Navy to support the humanitarian response in Gaza.
Answered by James Heappey
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is coordinating the UK’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance through trusted partners, including the UN, to the people who need it in Gaza.
The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when needed to facilitate the FCDO’s response. As of 13 November, three RAF flights have delivered a total of 51 tonnes of aid to Egypt. The shipments contained lifesaving items, including water purification equipment.
Royal Navy assets are in the region, and have the ability to support the humanitarian effort when the opportunity arises. We continue to monitor the situation and consider what further assistance Defence could contribute to the UK and international efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps is he taking to support the humanitarian effort in Gaza.
Answered by James Heappey
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is coordinating the UK’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance through trusted partners, including the UN, to the people who need it in Gaza.
The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when needed to facilitate the FCDO’s response. As of 13 November, three RAF flights have delivered a total of 51 tonnes of aid to Egypt. The shipments contained lifesaving items, including water purification equipment.
Royal Navy assets are in the region, and have the ability to support the humanitarian effort when the opportunity arises. We continue to monitor the situation and consider what further assistance Defence could contribute to the UK and international efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff at the (a) Army Foundation College, (b) Infantry Training Centre and (c) Army Training Centre have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) found guilty of (A) sexual offences against recruits and (B) other offences related to the treatment of recruits.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I will write to the hon. Member once MOD officials have had an opportunity to collate the information . A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ban the sale of (a) munitions and (b) military equipment to countries found to use weapons against civilians.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government takes its strategic export control responsibilities very seriously and will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, including respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that British-made munitions which are exported are not used against civilians in any jurisdiction.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is an advisory Department to the Department of Business and Trade who are the licensing authority for strategic export controls. Export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria which provides a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to carefully consider the impact of the export of items and their capabilities.
In accordance with the Criteria, the Government will not grant a licence where it determines there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law or human rights. We also do not license items where we determine there is a clear risk that the items would, overall, undermine peace and security, including internal peace and security, or there is a risk of diversion to an undesirable end use.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that trail hunting on his Department's land complies with the Hunting Act 2004.
Answered by Ben Wallace
To hunt on my Department’s land, an organisation must have a recognised governing body. All persons participating in a hunt must also be members of such an organisation. The organisation must also hold a Ministry of Defence issued licence, the terms of which clearly state that only trail hunting carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Act are permitted.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of taking steps to transfer UK fighter jets to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Heappey
The Ministry of Defence is investigating what support we might be able to give on the provision of combat aircraft to Ukraine and the potential wider implications of providing such support. That work is ongoing and will focus on the long-term defence and security needs of Ukraine.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of additional military aid that could be provided to Ukraine.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has provided over £2.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine and is the leading European donor. The Government has committed to maintain or exceed that level of support this year. The Department is currently focussed on the delivery of significant commitments of support made by the international community at Ramstein in January and February. Delivery of these capabilities will determine the success of the Ukrainian armed forces through 2023.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supplying more tanks to Ukraine other than those already committed to by the Government.
Answered by James Heappey
The provision of a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks is a very significant contribution from the UK which has made possible the gifting of dozens of tanks from other Western nations. The UK continues to be the leading European donor of equipment to Ukraine and we keep all options for additional future support under review.