Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his proposed timetable is to establish Plymouth as an amphibious Centre of Excellence; and when he expects the relocation of various regiments to take place.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Royal Marines Tamar, located within HM Naval Base Devonport, was established in August 2013 as the Amphibious Centre of Excellence incorporating 1 Assault Group Royal Marines and 539 Assault Squadron. It is now responsible for the training and delivery of all Landing craft and crews. Any further moves of Royal Marines Units are under review as part of the Defence estate optimisation strategy 'Better Defence Estate'.
Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the proposed location for the Royal Marines currently occupying RMB Stonehouse is; and when relocation is planned to take place.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The 'Better Defence Estate' strategy of 7 November 2016 announced the intended closure of Royal Marines Stonehouse by 2023 and outlined potential options for relocation of the Units currently located there (3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines HQ, Commander Amphibious Task Group HQ and 30 Commando (Information Exploitation Group) Royal Marines). Their future location remains subject to an assessment study that will report in the next 12 to 18 months and will inform more precisely the move dates and locations.
Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will discuss with hon. Members representing all affected constituencies his plans for the Royal Marine relocations before making final decisions.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Parliament will be updated annually on the progress of our 'Better Defence Estate' strategy. This will include updates to the reprovision plan on a rolling five-year basis.
Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what help his Department gives to servicemen and ex-servicemen to reduce levels of domestic violence.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The Department attaches considerable importance to tackling domestic violence. Our approach consists of two elements: ensuring that Service personnel understand the importance of preventing domestic violence and how best to do so; and raising awareness of the comprehensive range of help and information available to those experiencing violence. This includes single-Service specialist welfare providers, Families' Federations and help-lines.
We recognise that the levels of stress felt by individuals following deployment can vary greatly and no two people will deal with their experiences in the same way. Service personnel returning from certain operational theatres are provided with a period of decompression to re-adjust in a graduated and controlled manner.
This is one element of the complete Post Operational Stress Management package which improves the quality of homecoming by giving personnel the opportunity to talk through their experiences, as well as receive welfare briefings and have time to unwind.
Advice is also available for families, drawing attention to what can be expected when serving family members return from operations. This includes information about signs of stress, behaviours to look for and how to get help if needed. Welfare officers, padres, and other associated organisations also provide information to families by email, and through support groups.
Work is in hand to update Joint Service Publication 913, which sets out the tri-Service policy on domestic violence, to ensure there is a consistent approach across the three Services.
Once an individual has left the armed forces additional support is available from Veterans UK, as well as national charities.