Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces medics are (a) deployed and (b) planned to be deployed in hospitals in Northern Ireland.
Answered by James Heappey
As at 1 March 2022, there are 52 Defence Medics deployed in support of Northern Ireland hospitals, with a further 28 personnel undertaking supporting roles. This Military Aid to the Civil Authorities task began on 28 January 2022 and is expected to conclude on 2 March. Currently, there are no requests for further military support to Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to protect the UK from cyber attack by (a) Russia and (b) other parties.
Answered by James Heappey
At a national level, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides advice to UK Government and industry on actions to take in response to cyber threats. In the context of current tensions, the NCSC has updated its guidance to strengthen cyber security and resilience, and offers a range of free cyber security tools and services as part of its Active Cyber Defence programme.
The Ministry of Defence has heightened its posture against cyber threats, is taking steps to harden its networks and systems, and is reinvigorating the workforce's cyber awareness.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to assist South Korea with tackling North Korea's development of nuclear and missile technology.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK is committed to securing peace on the Korean peninsula and the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear and weapons programmes. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a responsible member of the international community we support actions aimed at encouraging North Korea to take concrete steps toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.
The UK frequently works with the Republic of Korea, the United States and other partners towards this end. We are a permanent member of the United Nations Military Armistice Committee and in 2022 are increasing the number of UK personnel within the United Nations Command Korea, including providing the next 3* General Deputy-Commander.
We contribute approximately 20 personnel to the biannual Republic of Korea-led Combined Command Post Training, where the command functions of a multinational response to crises are practiced, and work to improve readiness in the event of a breakdown of Armistice conditions.
The UK also supports the UNSC Resolutions aimed at preventing the proliferation of North Korea’s weapons and nuclear programmes, and conducts sanctions enforcement deployments aimed at preventing the illegal supply, sale, transfer or exports of goods by North Korea. During the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG-21) deployment to the Indo-Pacific last year, HMS RICHMOND performed a maritime monitoring mission, and in early 2022 HMS TAMAR has conducted a similar mission.
We believe these sanctions, which are not aimed at the North Korean people, are the most effective method of addressing North Korea’s weapons and nuclear programmes, and we support efforts made by the Republic of Korea and the US to engage diplomatically.
We urge North Korea to refrain from further provocations. Alongside our allies and partners, the UK is committed to peace on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the rules-based international system and securing an end to North Korea’s unlawful activities. We strongly encourage North Korea to return to dialogue.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has held discussions with its Australian counterparts on a new contract for the construction of submarines.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
As first set out to the House on 16 September 2021 by the Prime Minister, we have now begun the initial 18-month scoping phase for the AUKUS submarine partnership. This is a complex, long term project, and the 18-month programme of work is the first step in the process to identify the optimum way to deliver this new capability to the Royal Australian Navy.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for disposal of Kinnegar Barracks in County Down; and whether plans have changed for the scale of the disposal.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Following detailed assessment, the disposal of Kinnegar Logistics Base has been delayed by two years from 2022 to 2024.
There has been no change to the scale of the disposal. The Ministry of Defence intent remains to dispose of the whole site as surplus to requirements when military use has ended.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to encourage non-UK military personnel who are leaving the UK Armed Forces and who wish to remain in the UK to apply for residency for their families before their service ends.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Applying to Settle in the UK is a personal choice and some non-UK families will already have Settled status before the Service Person leaves the military. The MOD works closely with our non-UK personnel to make sure that they and their families are aware of how they can attain settlement in the UK, should they wish to do so.
We keep our personnel guidance under regular review and as part of that ongoing process we update non-UK content, from the point of recruitment, including information on recruitment websites, right through Service life. In addition, through the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, a further immigration advisor has also been employed by the Army Families Federation to help deal with their casework.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make military (a) medics and (b) transportation available to health trusts throughout the UK to help combat the staff shortages caused by covid-19 isolation.
Answered by James Heappey
As at 10 January 2022, we are providing 313 personnel to the NHS in England and Scotland in order to help relieve winter pressures. This comprises both medics and general duties personnel.
543 personnel, the majority of whom are drivers, are currently providing support to Ambulance services in response to driver shortages in England, Scotland and Wales.
In addition, we are currently providing 1,059 personnel comprising medics, general duties personnel and planners to support the UK's COVID-19 vaccination and booster programmes.
We remain ready to support health trusts and other bodies across the UK through the Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA) process.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force plans have crashed in the last 3 years.
Answered by James Heappey
Two Royal Air Force aircraft have been involved in crashes since 2018.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance the Government has provided to Ukraine to respond to recent Russian aggression.
Answered by James Heappey
Defence has a longstanding relationship with our Ukrainian counterparts and continue to provide support in many areas including security assistance and defence reform. Since 2015, the UK has helped build the resilience and capacity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine through Operation ORBITAL which has trained around 22,000 Ukrainian troops.
Of course, we have significant concerns about Russia's aggressive pattern of military build-ups on Ukraine's border and in illegally-annexed Crimea. The UK and our Allies do not seek to be adversarial to Russia, and will ensure that our activity, alongside Allies and Partners, is calibrated. We remain clear that Russia's threatening and destabilising behaviour is unacceptable and will have costs. We continue to monitor events on the ground closely.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions with the Foreign Secretary on potential UK Government support for the Government of Taiwan in the context of the political situation across the Taiwan Strait.
Answered by James Heappey
The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary meet regularly to discuss a wide range of international issues. These meetings often cover multiple topics and countries at appropriate classification.