Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to let future contracts to BAE Systems in North Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Guto Bebb
The Ministry of Defence has a number of ongoing contracts with BAE Systems, including five where work is undertaken in North Wales. We cannot comment on future requirements, potential contractors or where work may be carried out.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many jobs BAE Systems contracts sustains at RAF Valley.
Answered by Guto Bebb
BAE Systems currently employs 78 people at RAF Valley.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the that country's latest Nuclear Posture Review; and what implications that review has for the UK's nuclear defence policy.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
The Government has close and regular dialogue with the US Administration on all aspects of nuclear and arms control policy. In early 2017, President Trump announced that the US would conduct a Nuclear Posture Review. The US has sought views from the UK and other Allies as part of the process. The Review has not yet been concluded.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the strategic relevance of the deployment of low-yield nuclear warheads.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
This Government remains fully committed to maintaining the UK's minimum, credible, independent nuclear deterrent. We continue to assess developments in the international security environment and remain confident we have the right balance of nuclear capability to deter the most extreme threats to the UK and our allies.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had any discussions with his US counterpart on the development of a modified version of the Trident D5 submarine-launched missiles; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
The Government has close and regular dialogue with the US Administration on all aspects of nuclear and arms control policy. On 20 December 2017, we published the report 'The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Dreadnought Programme, 2017 Update to Parliament', which includes aspects of our work with the US on maintaining the Trident D5 II missile and associated UK warhead.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government’s policy is on the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation to non-nuclear strategic attacks.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
As set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, we continue to keep our nuclear posture under constant review in the light of the international security environment and the actions of potential adversaries. We remain deliberately ambiguous about precisely when, how and at what scale we would contemplate use of our nuclear weapons, in order not to simplify the calculations of any potential aggressor and in order to protect our national security.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the development of new nuclear weapons with the Government's policy on non-proliferation.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
Any decisions on UK nuclear deterrence policy or capability will be fully compliant with our obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what amount of his Department's annual expenditure is allocated to work relating to the UK's exit from the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence does not hold this information.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department have responsibilities relating to the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence has allocated five staff to deal exclusively with work arising from the UK's decision to leave the European Union so far as it affects Defence. These officials draw on the expertise of a wide range of colleagues from across the Ministry of Defence who undertake work relating to the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, in addition to their normal duties.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department has given to the children of nuclear test veterans who have suffered congenital deformities and unidentified illnesses as a result of their fathers being stationed on Christmas Island during nuclear tests in the 1950s.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has seen no published peer-reviewed evidence of excess illness or mortality among nuclear test veterans or their offspring as a group that could be linked to their participation in the UK's atmospheric nuclear tests or to exposure to radiation as a result of that participation. Formal and well-documented procedures were in place to ensure the health and safety of those participating in the tests.
Any veteran who believes they have suffered ill health due to service has the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pensions Scheme. War Pensions are payable in respect of illness or injury as a result of service in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005, with the benefit of reasonable doubt always given to the claimant. Decisions are medically certified and follow consideration of available service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent Tribunal.
The provision of healthcare to nuclear test veterans and their children is primarily the responsibility of the National Health Service, who work in close partnership with the MOD and Service charities to ensure that veterans get the best possible care. The MOD is determined to ensure that veterans who require help are provided with appropriate support including through the Veterans UK helpline and the Veterans Welfare Service which can be contacted on Freephone: 0808 1914 2 18
On 11 November 2016 the MOD announced a consortium of charities led by The Royal British Legion had been selected to provide the Veteran's Gateway. The Veterans Gateway programme, funded by a £2 million Covenant Fund grant, will provide a one-stop service to better support the veterans' community and help in accessing public, private and charitable services in the UK. It will provide a 24/7 telephone number, dedicated website and mobile app to make it easier for veterans to access support on issues including housing, employability and health. It will be formally launched in the first half of 2017.