Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the importance of the UK Chinook Force for the wider capability of the armed forces.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The UK Chinook Force provides the UK Armed Forces with vital rotary wing heavy lift capability. Defence has invested significantly in enhancing and maintaining the Chinook capability over many years and an upgrade programme will sustain this core capability into the 2040s.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on tackling unauthorised traveller encampments on his Department's land.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Ministry of Defence policy on unauthorised encampments is that the Department will always take appropriate action to recover possession of its land.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that reprisals against former or current members of the armed forces through the legal system for political reasons are not allowed.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Government is determined to protect the Armed Forces against improper legal claims. That is why we asked the Solicitors Regulation Authority to investigate solicitor Phil Shiner, who was struck off earlier this year for dishonesty. In respect of Northern Ireland, the Defence Secretary is working closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to ensure that the approach taken to address Northern Ireland's past is fair, balanced, and proportionate and that veterans are fully supported throughout.
Asked by: Ranil Jayawardena (Conservative - North East Hampshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to improve accommodation at RAF Odiham in 2017.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Funding has been approved for the refurbishment of the five barrack blocks at RAF Odiham in the poorest condition. This work is due to commence in April 2017 with a completion date in financial year 2021-22.