Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the commitment to participate in US-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire in Ukraine is binding.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Following the Leaders’ meeting in Paris on 6 January 2026, technical discussions with the United States and international partners on potential monitoring and verification arrangements for any ceasefire in Ukraine are ongoing. As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks and we will continue to work closely with our US allies to guarantee Ukraine’s security long-term including participating in US-led ceasefire monitoring.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what form, physical or remote intelligence, the UK commitment to participate in US-led monitoring and verification of a ceasefire in Ukraine will take.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Technical discussions with the United States and international partners on potential monitoring and verification arrangements for any ceasefire in Ukraine are ongoing. As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks and we will continue to work closely with our US allies to guarantee Ukraine’s security long-term including participating in US-led ceasefire monitoring.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the period for additional claims on the War Pension Scheme to six months.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
There are no plans to change the time limits associated with claims under the War Pension Scheme to six months. It may be helpful to explain that this time limit does not prevent a claim for additional benefits being made after three months. If a claim for additional benefits is made after this time limit, the additional payments are made from the date of that claim. Whereas, if additional benefits are claimed within the time limit, payments will be backdated to the date of the original claim.
The current process ensures timely support for claimants, preserves administrative efficiency, and safeguards the fairness and sustainability of the scheme. Claimants are made aware of this timeframe, but exceptions to it exist, such as if the claimant was unable to make a claim due to exceptional circumstances, or if new evidence comes to light that was not previously available.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of living LGBT veterans dismissed from the Armed Forces before 1967 who are excluded from the reparations recommended by the LGBT Veterans Independent Review; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the scope of the reparations to include those veterans.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Government recognises the profound impact that historic criminal and Service law had on LGBT veterans and is committed to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in its restorative measures. While the current scope of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) is based on the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, the Government acknowledges the concerns raised regarding veterans dismissed before 1967.
We therefore extended four restorative measures to those who served before 1967. They can apply to have administrative discharges qualified, their rank restored, Certificates of Service re-issued, and former Officers may apply to have Service details published in The Gazette, as part of the official record.
At present, the Government has not conducted, nor does it have plans to conduct, a formal assessment of the potential merits of extending the FRS to include veterans dismissed or discharged before 1967. This is because the Scheme was set up specifically to respond to the period when Service law was different to civilian law. We do not know how many living veterans were dismissed or discharged from the Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity before 1967.
The forthcoming Veterans Strategy will set out this government’s vision for the remarkable men and women that have served in this country’s Armed Forces. Through this new strategy, we will ensure all veterans’– including LGBT – service is celebrated, their potential to make further contributions is realised and, for those that need it, that the right support is available to them.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many LGBT veterans have received financial reparation.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As of 23 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme had made payments totalling £3.4 million to 69 applicants with life-limiting conditions or serious health concerns. We are now processing applications based on date received.
The first payments were issued within 15 weeks of the scheme going live. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to ensuring all eligible veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of white fleet vehicles used by the military were produced in China.
Answered by Maria Eagle
This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on Members of Parliament holding surgeries for armed forces personnel in military barracks.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Guidance on the use of Ministry of Defence sites to host MP constituency surgeries is set out in Joint Service Publication 850, entitled Infrastructure and Estate Policy, Standards and Guidance which states that: 'Use of MOD facilities is not to be permitted for any purpose associated with a political party, a group having political associations, an organisation with political aims or for large scale assemblies/rallies which in the judgement of the Budget Holder are likely to cause a breach of the peace or result in unruly conduct.'
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department issues guidance to the armed forces on the use of barracks to host MP constituency surgeries for serving personnel.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Guidance on the use of Ministry of Defence sites to host MP constituency surgeries is set out in Joint Service Publication 850, entitled Infrastructure and Estate Policy, Standards and Guidance.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel are deployed in each Overseas Territory.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has UK military personnel across various UK Overseas Territories. The approximate* breakdown of military personnel permanently based in UK Overseas Territories is as follows:
Ascension Island | Falkland Islands | Gibraltar | British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) | The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Turks and Caicos Islands |
20 | 830 | 140** | 40 | 2,370 | 1 |
In addition to this, across all UK Overseas Territories, there are also personnel deployed on operations.
While there may be other categories of personnel in other UK Overseas Territories, this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
* Personnel change over and transition on a regular basis. With leave and other commitments (such as training), specific numbers may fluctuate.
** This figure excludes the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG), around 270 personnel whose home base is Gibraltar.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Minister in his Department is responsible for defence policy on the Overseas Territories.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am the lead Defence Minister for Overseas Territories.