Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work carried out at MOD Bicester; how many of his Department’s personnel are stationed there; and who owns the site.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Bicester site is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) via the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. There are a number of different units and organisations located in Bicester performing a wide range of tasks and services, and as such there is no overall assessment of the effectiveness of the work carried out at Bicester. If the right hon. Member has an area of particular interest, I would be happy to provide further information.
There are currently 183 MOD civilian personnel and 725 trade trained Armed Forces personnel located at MOD Bicester.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there are confidential arrangements in place governing the US military's use of bases in the UK in addition to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement 1951, the Visiting Forces Act 1952 and UK/US Cost Sharing Agreement 1973.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
A range of formal agreements govern the US military's use of bases in the UK including the NATO Status of Forces Agreement 1951, the Visiting Forces Act 1952, and UK-US Cost Sharing Agreement 1973. Classified agreements also apply in some areas, reflecting the sensitive nature of specific operational activities conducted at these facilities.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the legislative basis is for the United States' use of force from bases in the United Kingdom being subject to joint decision-making.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign partners are considered on a case-by-case basis. This includes engagement with US partners on the nature and purpose of their activity. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations' military operations.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where United States (a) naval, (b) army and (c) marine detachments are stationed in the UK.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The United States Visiting Forces are present in the UK at the invitation of HM Government. The majority of US personnel in the UK are drawn from the US Air Force and stationed at RAF bases, but the overall US force composition across its UK footprint is a matter for the US.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the role is of RAF Oakhanger; how many of his Department’s personnel are stationed there; and who owns the site.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
RAF Oakhanger is a Ministry of Defence owned satellite ground station, which is contractor managed. It monitors and controls the UK's constellation of military communication satellites. There are no Defence staff stationed at RAF Oakhanger.