Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) recent assessment his Department has made of and (b) further steps his Department is taking to tackle the threat to UK Armed Forces of chemical weapons.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps the threat from chemical weapons under constant review and will take full account of recent events in Salisbury and Syria. We are continually working on improvements to our Armed Forces' capabilities against a wide range of Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. The MOD's Modernising Defence Programme (MDP) will ensure that Defence and the Armed Forces are configured and equipped to address evolving threats, including from CBRN, that we and our allies face. The Department intends to be in a position to share headline MDP conclusions by the summer.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government plans to replace the UFO desk; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Government has no plans to replace the UFO desk.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the capacity to deliver hurricane relief, similar to the response to hurricane Irma, if UK amphibious capability declines.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Armed Forces possess a range of assets, personnel and equipment that are able to provide humanitarian assistance in response to disasters worldwide. As part of the Atlantic Patrol Task (North), The Ministry of Defence has a Royal Navy ship pre-positioned close to the Caribbean during hurricane season. For Hurricanes Irma and Maria, this task was performed by RFA Mounts Bay, which provided the UK's initial response to the disaster. A cross-Government lessons learned process looking into the UK's immediate response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria is ongoing. The UK is proud of its role in hurricane and disaster relief, and stands ready to respond to future crises.
Asked by: Andrew Percy (Conservative - Brigg and Goole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many defibrillators are provided in each building his Department manages.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Ministry of Defence Health and Safety Policy states that the requirement to provide First-Aid is delegated to each Top Level Budget Holder (TLB). It is the duty of each TLB to conduct risk assessments of the activities at the establishments/units they control, and supply the necessary equipment and training including first aid equipment. The information requested is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.