Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to develop a viable infantry fighting vehicle capability that meets the Army’s requirements to allow soldiers safely to enter, operate and be supported directly in close combat and high threat environments.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Regular analysis conducted by the Army has confirmed the requirement for a range of armoured vehicles. This analysis includes a review of current and future threats and the environment in which vehicles are required to operate; work continues to focus on these areas to inform the Integrated Review.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the relative tactical mobility performance of the vehicles to be provided under the (a) Warrior Capability Sustainment and (b) Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programmes in weather and terrain in (i) Eastern Europe and (ii) the Baltics.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
Regular analysis conducted by the Army has confirmed the requirement for a range of armoured vehicles. This analysis includes a review of current and future threats and the environment in which vehicles are required to operate; work continues to focus on these areas to inform the Integrated Review.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Army’s armoured capability is taking to contribute to (a) enhanced Forward Presence and (b) NATO’s other conventional deterrence tasks.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK is firmly committed to the core NATO principles of collective deterrence and defence. Fifth Battalion The Rifles currently lead an Armoured Infantry Battlegroup in Estonia, as a Framework Nation for Enhanced Forward Presence. We currently provide Challenger 2, the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle, and a suite of Armoured capabilities from the UK's Third Division to the multinational presence there. In addition, the UK contributes a Light Cavalry Squadron to the US led Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Poland, currently provided by the Queen's Dragoon Guards and reservists from the Royal Yeomanry.
The UK also makes one of the largest commitments to NATO's high-readiness forces, including the NATO Response Force, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, and we host the headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. NATO's conventional deterrence extends to the enhanced air policing mission and standing maritime groups as well - to which the UK is also a major contributor.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department operates a ban the box employment policy in respect of ex-offender job applicants with unspent convictions; and how many employees of his Department have unspent convictions.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to improving diversity of opportunity and creating an inclusive working environment that attracts the best talent, and makes the most of potential skills and productivity.
The MOD is working with the Cabinet Office to implement the principles of the Ban the Box campaign.
The information requested relating to how many Ministry of Defence Service and civilian employees have unspent convictions could be provided only at disproportionate cost.