Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2019 to Question 211684 on Chinook Helicopters: Accidents, whether the Government has preserved records relating to the crash of the RAF helicopter Chinook that were closed between the date of the accident on 2 June 1994 and 1995.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Ministry of Defence records relating to the crash of the RAF helicopter Chinook that were closed between the date of the accident on 2 June 1994 and 1995 have been preserved.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to preserve the records relating to the crash of the RAF Chinook helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994; and where those records are currently archived.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Ministry of Defence (MOD) records that were closed in 1995 and 1996 will be reviewed for release or alternative disposal this year. These reviews have not been completed, and a decision will be made in due course.
The records relating to the crash of the RAF Chinook helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994 are currently archived with the MOD's Air Historical Branch (RAF) at RAF Northolt.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of Armed Forces personnel are from minority ethnic communities.
Answered by Guto Bebb
The Ministry of Defence is dedicated to achieving a more diverse workforce and is undertaking a wide range of activities to increase the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) recruits into the Armed Forces. Work to increase BAME representation includes better understanding and greater engagement with BAME communities, reviewing recruitment processes; and better targeted marketing and communications towards potential BAME applicants.
As at 1 April 2018, BAME personnel made up 2.4% of officers and 8.7% of other ranks in the UK Regular Armed Forces. Further information, including historical trends and a breakdown by Service, can be found at the following address:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-biannual-diversity-statistics-2018.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Government's future procurement plans of the dispute before the American authorities between Boeing and Bombardier; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Guto Bebb
The Defence Secretary has expressed concerns over the impact of Boeing's actions on the economy of Northern Ireland to Boeing senior leadership. He has been clear that this action is not what we would expect of a good partner to the UK.
We believe that Boeing has acted irresponsibly and have pressed them to reach an amicable, negotiated outcome to the dispute that preserves jobs in Belfast.
We stressed the failure to do so will have consequences for our relationship with the company, which might include the UK exploring a wider range of potential procurement alternatives considering the UK's social and economic objectives.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will visit Palace Barracks in Holywood, North Down; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence intends to visit units in Northern Ireland in the near future.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the Military Covenant; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Department continues to improve the support offered to our Service personnel, their families and veterans through engagement with statutory providers and the charitable sector with a view to ensuring none are disadvantaged through service in or living in Northern Ireland (NI). The recent launch of the Veterans' Gateway is a positive example of developing this collaborative approach. In addition, the bespoke Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Aftercare Service provides support to those personnel referred through the regional Personnel Recovery Unit within 38 (Irish) Brigade.
Any veteran whose needs are not met by statutory bodies or the charitable sector is looked after by a Veterans' Support Office (VSO), linked to each of the veterans champions established in every local authority. There is an intention to provide additional resources to strengthen the VSOs and improve NI's capacity to identify projects that could draw from the Covenant Fund.
A further update on our initiatives in NI will be published in the next Covenant Annual Report to Parliament in December 2017.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to respond to the recent allegations of torture in Northern Ireland in the 1970s by army personnel; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mike Penning
It is for the civil police to decide whether to take any action on the basis of these allegations.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to recognise the bravery and sacrifice of members of Army bomb disposal units who were killed or maimed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
We recognise the debt and gratitude owed to all the Service personnel, and their families, who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community has long performed a particularly challenging and courageous role, including in Northern Ireland during the period 1969-2007.
Honours and decorations have rightly been bestowed on the EOD community in recognition of their selfless courage and commitment in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. In June 2016 the EOD Memorial at the National Arboretum was dedicated to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the undertaking given by the then Attorney-General on 8 February 1977, that the five techniques of questioning used in Northern Ireland in 1971, have not in any circumstances been reintroduced since then as an aid to interrogation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mike Penning
The undertaking made in 1977 continues to be Government policy, but it was regrettably breached on occasions during operations in Iraq in circumstances described fully in the Report of the Baha Mousa Inquiry (HC1452) published on 8 September 2011. Remedial action to prevent any recurrence was taken in accordance with the recommendations of the Inquiry.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer to the contribution of the hon. Member for North Down during his statement on defence estates of 7 November 2016, Official Report, column 1290, what the estimated cost will be of the proposed consolidation of Kinnegar Logistics Base into Palace Barracks.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The only representations received are the questions from the hon. Member.
A 'Better Defence Estate' is principally aimed at improving the infrastructure to enable modern military capability and is based on military advice.
The consolidation of Kinnegar Logistics Base into Palace Barracks is a short distance move and contributes to the intent to co-locate people and capabilities in sustainable locations around centres of mass, optimising the Army's contribution to Joint Forces 2025.
There will be no job losses in relation to this announcement. The 12 military personnel based at Kinnegar Logistics Base will be relocated with their unit or re-assigned in accordance with existing career management procedures. There are no civilians on site.
Detailed assessment work will now take place over the next 12 to 18 months to determine relocation costs. As the relocation is scheduled for 2022, the Department will ensure appropriate levels of engagement will now take place with the relevant local authorities.