Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
If he will take steps to ensure that veterans who served before 1975 for less than 22 years are granted a service pension.
Answered by Johnny Mercer
I understand and sympathise with the veterans affected. However, the issue of pre-1975 pensions is common to all contemporary public service schemes. Given the likely number of former employees, the financial impact of resolving legacy pension issues is expected to be very significant. There would also be potentially overwhelming practical and administrative difficulties in recreating precise service and pay records and calculating pension awards for people who served about half a century ago, or for their surviving dependants.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Treasury Committee on 12 December 2016, in response to Q311, who in his Department is responsible for assessing whether grant applications for Horizon 2020 funding are (a) value for money and (b) in line with Government objectives.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (David Gauke) to Question 57694 on 20 December 2016.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arms and security-related sales and services the UK is (a) contracted to provide and (b) planning to provide in (i) 2017, (ii) 2018 and (iii) 2019.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK does not have commercial contracts with other countries for arms and security related sales and services. Through bilateral government-to-government arrangements the UK works closely with its international partners and allies to support the development of their defence and security capabilities across a broad range of areas.
To produce the information would involve collecting data from all branches and services involved in international defence engagement activity which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what security-related sales and services the UK is (a) contracted to provide and (b) plans to provide to other countries in (i) 2017, (ii) 2018 and (iii) 2019.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK does not have commercial contracts with other countries for arms and security related sales and services. Through bilateral government-to-government arrangements the UK works closely with its international partners and allies to support the development of their defence and security capabilities across a broad range of areas.
To produce the information would involve collecting data from all branches and services involved in international defence engagement activity which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, what checks were made on the provenance of the funds used to purchase Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
In accordance with normal practice the independent marketing agents analysed the leading bids and bidders. Mr Firtash was regarded as a high net worth individual capable of meeting the contractual obligations.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) took a 10% deposit (over £5 million) on exchange of contracts and later a legal charge at completion to secure payment obligations. In addition, all funds were paid to the MOD through UK regulated solicitors, in accordance with normal practice, to ensure that appropriate financial checks were made on their client.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, who the 12 bidders were for Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The names of the 12 bidders cannot be released as to do so would prejudice commercial interests.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, who the named official was who was responsible for the sale of Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The official responsible for the sale of Brompton Road has now retired, the senior official responsible for the disposals programme has left the Department.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, who the independent marketing agent was for the sale of Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The independent marketing agent was Jones Lang LaSalle.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, whether his Department was aware of the FBI investigation into Dmitri Firtash when it sold Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Department was not aware of the FBI investigation at the point of sale.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answers of 7 April 2014 to Questions 194734 to 194737, who made the highest bid for Brompton Road underground station.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The purchaser, Dmitri Firtash made the highest bid.