Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to (a) ensure that in the cross-Government approach to the strategy Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict that civilians are protected from and (b) consider any multilateral policy responses to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The principles set out in the Protection of Civilians Strategy continue to guide cross-Government work to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts around the world. The UK also remains closely engaged with multilateral discussions on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas at the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and other international fora.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the (a) total cost and (b) completion date for the (i) Dreadnought submarine, (ii) Astute submarine, (iii) Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment and (iv) Core Production Capability programmes.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
As part of this Government's transparency commitment, the current approved cost estimates for the defence nuclear programmes were included in the Ministry of Defence Major Projects Portfolio, published on 4 July 2018. Programme projected completion dates are also included, where security constraints allow.
A link is provided below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-government-major-projects-portfolio-data-2018
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Royal Navy Nuclear Reactor Test Facility Review commissioned by his Department's Chief Scientific Advisor, dated October 2014, which of the recommendations of that review have been implemented; and on what date each of those recommendations were implemented.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Royal Navy Nuclear Reactor Test Facility Review's recommendations were considered and where appropriate incorporated into a routine business approach. These are now being delivered through the work of Defence Nuclear Organisation and Submarine Delivery Agency.
The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information in the format requested and that data could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to locate the (a) deep maintenance and (b) refuelling of the Dreadnought submarines at Devonport.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The deep maintenance of Royal Navy submarines continues to take place at Devonport. There are no plans for the Dreadnought submarines to be refuelled.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the (a) total cost and (b) completion date for the (i) Dreadnought submarine, (ii) Astute submarine, (iii) Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment and (iv) Core Production Capability programmes.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
As part of this Government's transparency commitment, the current approved cost estimates for the defence nuclear programmes were included in the Ministry of Defence Major Projects Portfolio, published on 4 July 2018. Programme projected completion dates are also included, where security constraints allow.
A link is provided below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-government-major-projects-portfolio-data-2018
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of positions for (a) civilian and (b) military nuclear suitably qualified and experienced personnel within the (a) Defence Nuclear Programme and (b) Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator are currently filled.
Answered by Guto Bebb
The requested information is not held centrally and will take time to collate and verify. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the UK's stock of D5 Trident missiles have been upgraded under the D5 Life Extension programme; and which Vanguard-class submarines are equipped with those upgraded missiles.
Answered by Guto Bebb
I am withholding details on this matter for the purposes of safeguarding national security.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what category of safety assurance was assigned to the nuclear domain by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator for the years (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18.
Answered by Guto Bebb
The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator Annual Assurance Reports for the periods 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, containing the level of safety assurance, will not be published as it has been assessed to do so would impact national security. This does not prevent the effective management and independent assessment of the Defence Nuclear Programme, nor prevent its duty holders being held to account, but in the current security climate we cannot accept compromising our capabilities by disclosing the reports or details contained within.