Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on identifying and repairing the fault that led to the Trident D5 II missile not being able to complete its test after being launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January to the hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) (Vol 620, Col 23). Details of the Trident weapon system and submarine operations must remain secret. The Government is in no doubt about the capability and effectiveness of the Trident missile system. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria underpinned the decision not to make public the fact that the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise had not been completed as planned and that the Trident D5 II missile launched by HMS Vanguard had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 January to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Ms Ferrier) to Question 61464. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he was part of the discussion in which it was decided not to inform Parliament that the Trident D5 II missile launched as part of the 2016 Demonstration and Shakedown Operation exercise had not completed its test as planned.
Answered by Michael Fallon
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 January to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West (Ms Ferrier) to Question 61464. HMS Vengeance successfully concluded her Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and returned to the operational cycle.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what formal coordination and communication mechanisms are in place between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police and Police Scotland for during and after an incident when the MoD Police goes on patrol in the civilian areas beyond the perimeter of HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
All Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police activities that take place in areas beyond the perimeter of Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, which includes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, are covered by a joint agreement between the MOD Police and Police Scotland. This agreement includes details of the command and control arrangements that would apply in the event of an incident and is supported by regular dialogue at both local and Force Headquarters levels.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what formal arrangement is in place between Police Scotland and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police regarding the division or delegation of responsibilities when the MoD Police goes on patrol in the civilian areas beyond the perimeter of HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot At Coulport.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
All Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police activities that take place in areas beyond the perimeter of Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, which includes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, are covered by a joint agreement between the MOD Police and Police Scotland. This agreement includes details of the command and control arrangements that would apply in the event of an incident and is supported by regular dialogue at both local and Force Headquarters levels.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has plans in place to increase the number of Ministry of Defence police officers at HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport in the next 12 months.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Our security arrangements are frequently tested and kept under continual review. We do not comment on specific site security arrangements.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what change there has been in the number of police officers at HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport in the last 12 months.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There has been no change to the total number of Ministry of Defence Police officers required at these establishments in the last 12 months.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to expand the role of Ministry of Defence police officers in the civilian areas beyond the perimeter of HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police officers have historically routinely undertaken external unarmed patrols in the vicinity of Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, which includes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport. In 2003, as part of the overall protective security arrangements for both establishments, MOD introduced armed external patrols following full consultation with the then Strathclyde Police and local community stakeholders. This agreement remains extant with the Police Service of Scotland.
The extent of MOD Police patrol activity is determined as part of the Naval Base security arrangements and are covered by an agreement with Police Scotland. MOD Police officers are trained to national police standards and remain under the operational command of the Chief Constable of MOD Police whilst on external patrols. Responsibility for the maintenance and enforcement of the law in Scotland rests with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
There has been no increase to routine MOD Police patrols outside the two establishments during the last 24 months although the MOD keeps security at all of its establishments under review and there are no current plans to expand these external patrols. Any proposals to increase external MOD Police patrols would be agreed with Police Scotland.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Ministry of Defence Police officers are deployed to patrol in the civilian areas beyond the perimeter of HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police officers have historically routinely undertaken external unarmed patrols in the vicinity of Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, which includes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport. In 2003, as part of the overall protective security arrangements for both establishments, MOD introduced armed external patrols following full consultation with the then Strathclyde Police and local community stakeholders. This agreement remains extant with the Police Service of Scotland.
The extent of MOD Police patrol activity is determined as part of the Naval Base security arrangements and are covered by an agreement with Police Scotland. MOD Police officers are trained to national police standards and remain under the operational command of the Chief Constable of MOD Police whilst on external patrols. Responsibility for the maintenance and enforcement of the law in Scotland rests with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
There has been no increase to routine MOD Police patrols outside the two establishments during the last 24 months although the MOD keeps security at all of its establishments under review and there are no current plans to expand these external patrols. Any proposals to increase external MOD Police patrols would be agreed with Police Scotland.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by how much Ministry of Defence Police have increased in the civilian areas beyond the perimeter of HMNB Clyde and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport in the last (a) 12 and (b) 24 months.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police officers have historically routinely undertaken external unarmed patrols in the vicinity of Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, which includes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport. In 2003, as part of the overall protective security arrangements for both establishments, MOD introduced armed external patrols following full consultation with the then Strathclyde Police and local community stakeholders. This agreement remains extant with the Police Service of Scotland.
The extent of MOD Police patrol activity is determined as part of the Naval Base security arrangements and are covered by an agreement with Police Scotland. MOD Police officers are trained to national police standards and remain under the operational command of the Chief Constable of MOD Police whilst on external patrols. Responsibility for the maintenance and enforcement of the law in Scotland rests with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
There has been no increase to routine MOD Police patrols outside the two establishments during the last 24 months although the MOD keeps security at all of its establishments under review and there are no current plans to expand these external patrols. Any proposals to increase external MOD Police patrols would be agreed with Police Scotland.