James Gray Portrait

James Gray

Conservative - North Wiltshire

First elected: 1st May 1997


Environmental Audit Committee
4th Jun 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Panel of Chairs
22nd Jun 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Defence Sub-Committee
8th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Defence Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Defence Sub-Committee
7th Feb 2017 - 3rd May 2017
Panel of Chairs
21st Jun 2010 - 3rd May 2017
Administration Committee
20th Jul 2015 - 16th Jan 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls
1st Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Procedure Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Defence Committee
4th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee)
1st Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Finance and Services Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 10th Dec 2013
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
19th Feb 2007 - 6th May 2010
Regulatory Reform
12th Jul 2005 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
8th May 2005 - 19th May 2005
Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs
14th Jul 1997 - 13th Dec 2000


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, James Gray has voted in 739 divisions, and 12 times against the majority of their Party.

9 Feb 2021 - Trade Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 318 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 318 Noes - 303
19 Jan 2021 - Trade Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 319 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 319 Noes - 308
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 257 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 163
20 May 2020 - Liaison (Membership) - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 316 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 262 Noes - 323
10 Mar 2020 - Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 301 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 306
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
7 Dec 2021 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 289 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 296
25 Jan 2022 - Judicial Review and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 299 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 310 Noes - 211
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
James Gray voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
28 Jun 2023 - Education - View Vote Context
James Gray voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 237 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 373 Noes - 28
View All James Gray Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Ben Wallace (Conservative)
(14 debate interactions)
James Heappey (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
Leo Docherty (Conservative)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Defence
(37 debate contributions)
Home Office
(32 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all James Gray's debates

North Wiltshire Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

Join other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.

We demand the Government restore England’s publicly funded, publicly provided NHS by reversing all privatising legislation, ending ongoing PFI contracts, and scrapping plans for Integrated Care Systems and for-profit US-style ‘managed care’.

I would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment. This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.

We ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.

Currently, it is not compulsory for primary or secondary school students to be educated on Britain's role in colonisation, or the transatlantic slave trade. We petition the government to make education on topics such as these compulsory, with the ultimate aim of a far more inclusive curriculum.

Enact legislation to protect retail workers. This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.

The right to peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental principles of any democracy and the proposed part of this bill that gives the police new powers to tackle disruptive peaceful protests should be removed from The Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

I would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy

The Government should explore using the new sanctions regime that allows individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted, to impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses by the Nigerian police.

Weddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.

Extend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance

The UK Government plans to introduce “Magnitsky law”, a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations. Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people.


Latest EDMs signed by James Gray

4th March 2024
James Gray signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 7th March 2024

Future defence spending

Tabled by: Giles Watling (Conservative - Clacton)
That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to require that a minimum of 3% of GDP be allocated to defence spending; recognises that defence spending is at a three-year high but should be protected to prevent economic downturns from impacting the defence budget adversely; believes …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
6th March 2023
James Gray signed this EDM on Monday 20th March 2023

The Loan Charge

Tabled by: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)
That this House is concerned that suicides have been linked to the Loan Charge and that despite the Morse Review, thousands face unaffordable demands, with the risk of further suicides; notes that most people facing action were mis-sold schemes and that HMRC are demanding scheme users repay disputed tax; further …
118 signatures
(Most recent: 11 Jul 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 36
Scottish National Party: 33
Conservative: 17
Liberal Democrat: 14
Democratic Unionist Party: 7
Independent: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Alba Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All James Gray's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by James Gray, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.



Latest 44 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government plans to allow (a) boat owners to visit marinas and (b) marinas to re-open as the covid-19 restrictions are eased; what discussions he has had with representatives of the Royal Yachting Association on re-opening marinas for boat owners; for what reason marinas were not specifically mentioned in the Government's Covid-19 Response: Spring 2021 roadmap, published on 22 February 2021; and how boat owners can gain access to their boats for regular maintenance while marinas are closed during the covid-19 lockdown.

The Government’s four-step roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, while preserving the health and safety of the country. The approach focuses on scientific data, not hard and fast dates. The dates shown in the roadmap are the earliest that changes will be made, subject to the data confirming it is safe to do so.

Marinas have not been required to close during the lockdown and have been able to open for permitted activities. Boating activities, including access to marinas and their re-opening where they are closed, should be conducted in line with the roadmap. The Royal Yachting Association is represented at regular stakeholder meetings between Defra officials and other inland waterway representatives.

Boat owners wishing to access their boats during periods of national lockdown should consult the relevant coronavirus regulations and associated guidance on the GOV.UK website to determine what is and is not permitted. Navigation authorities, other industry representatives, and membership bodies in many instances also publish guidance for their waterways on their websites.

Non-essential travel is not permitted anywhere in England during the national lockdown, and while the regulations around essential travel do include some exemptions, attending to regular boat maintenance is not one of them. The regulations allow for an individual or company to employ someone in a professional capacity to visit their boat to undertake regular maintenance works, and they also allow people to leave home exceptionally to secure their second home, caravan or boat to avoid it posing a risk of harm or injury to themselves or others.

From 29 March, people will no longer be legally required to Stay at Home, but should continue to minimise travel wherever possible and should not be staying away from home overnight at this stage.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seals have been shot to protect (a) aquaculture and (b) fisheries interests in England in each of the last 10 years.

Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.

Fishers have the legal defence to take unlicensed emergency measures in relation to individual seals to prevent damage to their fishing equipment or fish contained within it. There are no reporting requirements under this provision.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in relation to the introduction of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule by that country.

Defra is working closely with Marine Scotland, the Marine Management Organisation, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Seafish, the University of St Andrews, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the British Embassy in Washington DC on the UK’s approach to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Our aim is that the UK can continue to export to the United States when the MMPA is implemented on 1 January 2022.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that data obtained in respect of marine mammal bycatch monitoring meets the requirements of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule.

We have a long-term UK bycatch monitoring programme that uses dedicated observers to focus monitoring efforts on fisheries that pose a high risk of cetacean bycatch. The data from this programme have been used to complete our response to the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to fulfil requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

We continue to engage with the United States to discuss the details of the UK’s approach to cetacean bycatch monitoring and management and to ensure that we meet the requirements of the MMPA Import Provision Rule.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to eliminate seal shooting in UK waters before the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provision Rule deadline of 1 January 2022.

Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so under exceptional circumstances or by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.

The UK Government and devolved administrations are in regular dialogue with the EU, the United States and stakeholders about our US Marine Mammal Protection Act preparation, including any implications for UK seal licensing regimes, to ensure future access to US markets.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
14th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to take account of the needs of people with dementia in his long term plans for social care reform.

The Government’s number one priority for adult social care is for everyone who relies on care to get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are committed to bringing forward a plan for social care to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and to find long term solutions for one of the biggest challenges we face as a society.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the R value is for the South West; if he will publish any localised variation in that R value; what estimate he has made of future trends in the R value for the South West; what assessment he has made of the cause of the recent increase in the South West R value; and if he will make a statement.

The Government Office for Science currently publishes the latest estimates of R in NHS England regions on a weekly basis and these are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-r-number-in-the-uk

Regional R estimates are more uncertain and variability in the data means they are more likely to fluctuate from one week to the next.

Estimates of R for geographies smaller than regional level are less reliable and it is more appropriate to identify local hotspots through, for example, monitoring numbers of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths. Because of this, it is the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies’ view that estimating R for such small geographies would not provide meaningful insight, so the Government does not intend to publish more localised estimates.

We do not produce forecasts of future trends in the value of R at either national or regional level.

The Joint Biosecurity Centre will support local authorities and Public Health Directors to develop local outbreak plans. Working with Public Health England, we will provide an outbreak management toolkit to contain an infection. This will also include agreed triggers and escalation routes to regional or national decision makers if an outbreak is not containable locally.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with representatives of Public Health England about Fairways Care Home in Chippenham, Wiltshire; what steps his Department is taking to ensure that staff of that home have access to testing for covid-19; where the nearest covid-19 testing centre is to that home; what steps those staff should take to prevent the spread of covid-19 in that home in the event that they are not routinely tested; and if he will make a statement.

The local Health Protection Team undertakes a joint risk assessment with care homes reporting outbreaks of COVID-19, as part of its routine procedures. We have launched the whole care home testing portal which will enable all symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents to get tested. We have the capacity to deliver up to 30,000 tests a day. For staff who are self-isolating they can book a test online or be referred by their employer through the employer referral portal. Tests can be booked online at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test

Public Health England has published clear guidance on infection prevention and control within care homes which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance#adult-social-care

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential contribution of the Arctic and Antarctic to British foreign policy objectives.

As the nearest neighbour to the Arctic, we remain committed to working in partnership with our allied Arctic States to maintain the region as one of low tension, while continuing to make a significant contribution to Arctic science, security and environmental protection.

The UK is committed to upholding and strengthening the Antarctic Treaty System and maintaining our leadership on Antarctic policy and science, especially on the implications of climate change.

Amanda Milling
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people moved home and paid Stamp Duty between 1 April and 7 July 2020; and how much revenue was collected in Stamp Duty during that period.

The precise statistics requested are not readily available as stamp duty transactions and revenue are derived on a monthly basis.

HM Revenue and Customs have published Official Statistics for the months in question. The “Monthly property transactions completed in the UK with value of £40,000 or above” publication contains the residential transaction figures, and the “HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK” publication contains the SDLT receipts figures. More specific information would only be available at disproportionate cost.

11th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will grant Hong Kong Locally Employed Personnel who were full members of the UK armed services before 1997 the same immigration status as applies to Ghurka soldiers.

Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme introduced in 1990, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as a British citizen. The Scheme ran until 1 July 1997.

The Immigration Rules which apply to those who have served in the Brigade of Gurkhas were introduced on the basis of the unique nature of the Gurkhas’ service.

14th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much VAT was paid by his Department to HM Treasury in each of the last three years; whether such payments are notional balance sheet transactions ; and whether such payment count towards the NATO target of 2 percent of GDP spent on defence.

The table below provides details of VAT paid and not recovered by MOD’s main VAT registration for the previous three financial years (FY).

VAT paid by HMRC and not recovered £million

FY20/21

3,026

FY21/22

3,143

FY22/23

3,607

Total

9,776

These payments are not notional balance sheet transactions. They are are actual cash payments made by MOD and are accordingly considered part of the Department’s spend for NATO purposes.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which pensions his Department has responsibility for are counted towards the NATO target of spending two percent of GDP on defence; and what the value of such pension payments was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Under NATO guidance pensions for defence personnel form part of qualifying defence spend. This includes both military pensions and Ministry of Defence civil servants. For Financial Year 2022-23, this is £1,523 million and £123 million respectively.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2024 to Question 13866 on Chinook Helicopters: Accidents, what personal information is held about third party individuals; and whether those individuals are alive.

The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to third party individuals involved with the board of inquiry and of the next of kin.

It is assumed that all individuals are alive and the early release of this information would breach their data protection rights. This will be reconsidered during the Ministry of Defence’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with the closed records due to take place in 2029.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing the 100 year classification of documents relating to the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook disaster.

The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to 3rd party individuals. The early release of this information would breach those individuals’ data protection rights. As part of MOD’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with these closed records, an assessment of the potential merit of removing the 100-year closure status is due to take place in 2029.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of increasing armed forces pay in line with inflation; and whether he has made a comparative assessment of the wages of armed forces staff and the wages of public service who have taken part in strikes in 2022-2023 that have been covered by the armed forces.

The annual remit for the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) and Defence’s annual affordability for the AFPRB’s annual pay award are both agreed with Ministerial colleagues.

Last year, the independent AFPRB recommended a 3.75% uplift in pay and other targeted measures, including a 1% cap on accommodation charges. At the same time, the independent Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) recommended a 3.5% award to the most senior officers at two-Star rank and above. All these recommendations were accepted in full. Evidence for this year has been provided to both the AFPRB and SSRB and we are awaiting their 2023 reports.

In determining their recommendations, the pay review bodies operate within their respective remits. For the AFPRB, this explicitly includes comparative assessments with other workforces as part of their consideration of the need for the pay of the Armed Forces to be broadly comparable with pay levels in civilian life.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
21st Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, until what date HIV positive status was a bar to military service; on what evidence was that bar to military service based; and if he will make a statement.

On 21 June 2022, the HIV positive status bar was lifted with amendments being made to the Joint Service Manual of Medical Fitness (Leaflet 6-7-7 of Joint Service Publication 950).

The original policy and its amendment were based on specialist medical opinion. This included consideration of the risk to the individual if they were denied essential medication or access to specialist medical services due to operational circumstances; the risk to everyone operating in the military exposure prone environment in the UK and overseas; and the cost-benefit of training an individual with a chronic medical condition, that would previously have attracted career restrictions in a fixed liability organisation.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
17th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel were dishonourably discharged between 1980 and 2000 because of their sexual orientation.

The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.

The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.

Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations

We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)


Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
17th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what penalties were imposed on armed forces personnel who were dishonourably discharged because of their sexual orientation between 1980 and 2000.

The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.

The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.

Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations

We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)


Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
17th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether recompense has been made to those who lost their pensions, medals and status as a result of being dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation during 1980-2000.

The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.

The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.

Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations

We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)


Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
17th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the chair of the independent review into the impact of the pre-2000 ban of homosexual personnel in the military will be appointed, and the remit of that group agreed.

Defence remains proud of all our LGBT+ military and civilian personnel and the significant contributions they make to ensure our security, support our national interests, and safeguard our prosperity. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuals serving in HM Armed Forces. The review underlines the MOD’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future, following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
1st Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2021 to Question 48135 on Reserve Forces, whether he plans to publish the 2021 annual report produced by the Reserve Forces External Scrutiny Team before its author, Major General Simon Lalor, addresses the APPG for Armed Forces on Monday 8 December 2021.

We anticipate the report should be placed in the Library of the House prior to 8 December 2021.

13th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the 2021 annual report produced by the Reserve Forces External Scrutiny Team; and if he will place a copy of that report in the Library.

We are very grateful to the External Scrutiny Team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2021 report in the Library of the House in the next few weeks.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what time period is covered by the contract between his Department and Babcock for light aircraft flying training.

The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd in 2009. The contract was transferred to Babcock International following their takeover of VT Aerospace Ltd in 2010; it has been extended under its terms and is due to run until 2022.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value is of his Department's contract with Babcock for light aircraft flying training.

The whole life costs for the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2, through to March 2022, have been assessed as approximately £263 million.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timescale is for the (a) procurement process and (b) contract award for the UK Light Aircraft Flying 3 project TELUM.

The TELUM Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking expressions of interest was issued to industry on 7 October 2020. Project TELUM is still in its early stages and it is still under development. It is, therefore, too early to state when the new contract will be awarded.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for a tender for a new contract for the UK Light Aircraft Flying 3 project TELUM; and if he will make a statement.

The TELUM Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking expressions of interest was issued to industry on 7 October 2020. Project TELUM is still in its early stages and it is still under development. It is, therefore, too early to state when the new contract will be awarded.

19th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's contract with Babcock for light aircraft flying training was subject to oversight by the Single Source Regulations Office.

The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd, (subsequently taken over by Babcock Interantional) in 2009 following a competitive tender exercise. The Single Source Regulations did not apply at that time as they did not come into force until the Defence Reform Act 2014.

In December 2019, the contract was transitioned to a Qualifying Defence Contract and is now subject to Single Source Regulations and oversight by the Single Source Regulations Office.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value of the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract is.

The whole life costs for the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2, through to March 2022, have been assessed as approximately £263 million.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the Project TELUM training sites will be located.

The training sites that will be utilised under Project TELUM have yet to be confirmed. However, given that the project is to replace and enhance an existing capability, it is likely that they will mirror current locations. These are:

Flying Station Aldergrove

RAF Benson

Boscombe Down Airfield

RAF Cosford

RAF Cranwell

Glasgow Airport

Leuchars Station

RAF Leeming

St Athan airfield

RAF Wittering

RAF Woodvale

AAC Middle Wallop

RNAS Yeovilton

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on providing live flight experiences to all members of the RAF Air Cadets.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing live flying opportunities to Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Combined Cadet Force (Royal Air Force) cadets and aims to provide each cadet with one 20-minute flight per year, subject to them meeting the necessary medical requirements.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the RAF Air Cadets are trained through Air Experience Flights each year.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Data on the number of individuals undertaking flights is not held centrally, however, the number of flying hours flown by cadets is recorded and can be found in the table below:

Financial Year

Hours flown

2014-15

10,144

2015-16

10,649

2016-17

10,268

2017-18

9,102

2018-19

9,360

Up to three cadets can complete a flight during one hour, depending on several factors that may include but are not limited to, an individual’s fitness to fly and weather conditions.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the gender ratio is of Air Cadets who receive an Air Experience Flight; and what that ratio was at the start of the current Air Experience Flight contract.

Royal Air Force Air Cadets does not collate information regarding the gender of cadets who participate in Air Experience Flights.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the contract for UK Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 was first tendered.

The contract was awarded in 2009. Information relating to the first tendering of the contract is not held electronically and can be provided only, if at all, at disproportionate cost.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what priorities his Department has set for Project TELUM.

Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.

The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of careers in aviation that will be created by Project TELUM.

The number of careers in aviation required to fulfil the Project TELUM requirements will be a matter for the successful bidder for the contract.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Army and (b) Royal Navy pilots are planned to be streamed through project TELUM per year.

The Royal Navy will assess approximately 48 candidates per year and the Army will assess approximately 90 candidates per year.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average qualification failure rate was for (a) Army and (b) Navy pilots that have successfully streamed in the most recent period for which figures are available.

For the current financial year fewer than ten Royal Navy and Army pilots failed flying training, following grading/streaming.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the contract for Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 is due to be renewed.

The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd in 2009. The contract was transferred to Babcock International following their takeover of VT Aerospace Ltd in 2010; it has been extended under its terms and is due to run until 2022.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the circumstances of previous fatal accidents involving Air Cadets; and what steps he is taking to ensure contracts held by his Department deliver the highest practicable level of safety.

The RAF has introduced a number of safety enhancements on its aircraft, including the addition of electronic Collision Warning Systems on the Tutor aircraft. Military Aviation, including cadet flying, is now governed by a Duty Holder system in which senior responsible officers are held accountable to ensure that all safety risks are managed to as low as reasonably practicable. Contractors are required to comply with the safety standards in place and the Tutor fleet has operated safely under the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the use of leaded aviation fuel within the armed forces.

Policy dictates that the current issue of the fuel specification, Defence Standard (Def Stan) 91-090, for Aviation Gasoline (Avgas) is adhered to.

Avgas 100LL is the staple fuel for most piston engine aircraft and contains the additive tetra-ethyl lead (TEL). TEL is used to boost and maintain the octane level and prevent destructive detonation within engines. High-compression and turbocharged engines are particularly affected by such issues.

The Ministry of Defence is driving to reduce environmental contaminants such as TEL where possible and, as soon as alternatives are proven to be fit for purpose and safe in use, it is our policy to seek clearances from the airframe and engine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for their inclusion in the procurement process.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what type of training will be provided through Project TELUM.

Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.

The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.

16th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing virtual training through Project TELUM.

Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.

The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.