Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many hours Royal Navy ships have spent shadowing suspected Russian spy ships (a) in and (b) near UK territorial waters in each of the last five years.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the Royal Navy has shadowed suspected Russian spy ships (a) in and (b) near UK territorial waters in each of the last five years.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguarding national security.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the German Government on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We hold regular discussions with Germany on a range of issues related to equipment and joint programmes. The UK is supportive of the prospective sale of Eurofighter Typhoon to Turkey, as its next fighter platform. We continue to discuss our ongoing bid for Turkey to procure Typhoon with the other Eurofighter Partner Nations, including Germany.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce next steps for the Submarine Dismantling Programme.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The demonstrator submarine, SWIFTSURE, remains on track to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026. There are six further defueled Pressurised Water Reactor 1 (PWR1) submarines awaiting dismantling in Rosyth.
Further announcements about dismantling the remaining PWR1 submarines will be made at the appropriate time.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support he provides for people with long term health conditions trying to access discounts on water charges when the supply is provided on behalf of his Department.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence does not provide additional support for people with long term health conditions to access discounts on water charges when the supply is provided on behalf of the Department.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the new support hub for SMEs will be operational.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 March 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 34903.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussions with international counterparts in NATO on the report entitled SkyShield: a practical security guarantee for Ukraine by CEPA, published on 17 March 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his NATO and international counterparts, including on our collective support to Ukraine's armed forces in response to Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion.
With reference to the report entitled SkyShield, we are working with the Coalition of the Willing for potential security assurances for Ukraine.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the RAF and (b) defence suppliers on he future of the RAF fast jet training aircraft.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2024 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 15292.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the RAF and (b) defence industry suppliers on the replacement of the Hawk training jet.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2024 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 15292.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last held discussions with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) (i) further and (ii) higher education sector in Scotland to encourage the effective supply of skills for the defence industrial sector from Scotland.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government recognises the critical importance of attracting new entrants into the defence sector in order to ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain a vibrant, innovative and competitive defence industrial base. While discussions with the Scottish Government and education establishments in Scotland have not been held by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Ministry of Defence welcomes engagement and consultation with stakeholders across the United Kingdom to ensure our defence sector has the right people and skills to meet the challenges of the future.