Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment the Government has made of using the Joint Precision Airdrop System to provide aid to besieged Syrian civilians.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK does not possess a Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) capability. Our assessment is that, although JPADS is relatively precise, the size and weight of the system and the risk risk of collateral damage are such that it is not generally suitable for use in a populated environment. We continue to work with allies and partners on potential options for delivering aid but the most effective means remains road deliveries of large quantities, organised by Humanitarian agencies and coordinated with authorities on the ground.
Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the (a) reduction in the number of gliders available for Air Cadet forces, (b) reduction in the number of gliding induction courses and (c) closure of 14 volunteer gliding squadrons on the operations and activities of air cadet squadrons across the UK.
Answered by Julian Brazier
When the in-depth audit of glider engineering found that both the Vigilant and Viking aircraft fleets failed to meet the airworthiness standards required and all Air Cadet gliding had to be suspended as safety is paramount in all flying activity, it was essential that the RAF explored options for the future of glider experience flights, together with future fleet size and location. As a result of this work, and after substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of leading aerospace companies, it became apparent that repair of all the existing Viking and Vigilant fleets was not economically sustainable. In particular, there was no reliable contractor able to take on a large scale refurbishment of the Vigilant fleet.
The reduced glider fleet will operate at fewer, but larger, regional Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. Where Cadets have to travel longer distances investment is being increased to provide good quality residential accommodation. There will also be an uplift in Tutor aircraft, for powered flying from 45 to 70, and the formation of two additional Air Experience Flights, as well as the provision of 25 part task trainers.
The Air Cadet Organisation are developing their courses, which centre on a common syllabus focusing every single flight on training rather than providing a passenger experience, be that in the air with gliding and powered flight or through synthetic training on part-task trainers funded by the RAF Charitable Trust. The redesigned courses provide a Cadet flying training structure like that used by our future RAF Typhoon and Lightning II pilots. Cadets will learn basic flying skills from an early point in their Air Cadet careers starting with ground school lessons and realistic synthetic training on part task trainers, building flying experience. This smart use and integration of synthetic flying during the early stages alongside powered and glider flying means that the Air Cadet of the future will once more have aviation opportunities unmatched by any other National Cadet Force worldwide.
Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what mechanisms his Department uses to communicate its decisions to air cadet units.
Answered by Julian Brazier
The Ministry of Defence, through the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO), has a variety of mechanisms to communicate its decisions and policy changes to air cadet units.
Routine issues without any sensitive aspects are publicised on the ACO IT system, BADER, which all air cadet units have access to. These can be placed on BADER's home page on the scrolling news announcements.
Departmental decisions that may have some sensitive aspects are normally communicated down through the chain-of-command by either e-mail or letter. Highly sensitive issues may be briefed by senior commanders in face-to-face meetings.
Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of a more joined-up EU defence policy.
Answered by Julian Brazier
The UK takes an active role in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. As the Prime Minister made clear at the June European Council we want to see the EU's Comprehensive Approach properly coordinated with the action of EU institutions, Member States, and other International Organisations, particularly NATO. The Comprehensive Approach is complementary to the role that NATO has as the cornerstone of European Defence. Member States agreed to take action to improve the delivery of the Comprehensive Approach at the Foreign Affairs Council in May, and will return to the issue in 2016.
Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department owns any of the Filton Airfield site; and whether his Department will be entitled to any share of the site's sale.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
The Department does not own any of the Filton Airfield site and is not entitled to any share in the site's sale.