Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether financial benefits accrue to the United Kingdom from the US War Department’s ownership of sites such as land and buildings in Britain.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The continued presence of United States (US) military forces in the UK forms an important part of the US’ on-going wider commitment to NATO and the security of Europe. The US Department of War (DoW) does not own military sites, military land, or military buildings in Britian and therefore there is no associated financial benefit.
In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement, the US DoW is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the sites the US War Department owns in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I can confirm the US War Department does not own any Defence sites in the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the local economic benefits to the United Kingdom of the United States military bases in Britain.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not formally evaluated the economic benefit to the UK of the United States Visiting Forces (USVF) and therefore a verified financial estimate is not available. The continued presence of United States military forces in the UK forms an important part of the United States’ on-going wider commitment to NATO and the security of Europe.
The influence a USVF base will have on the economic development of nearby communities will depend on its location, base size, operational tempo and local context. The presence of a USVF base in the community creates both direct and indirect employment, and opportunities for local businesses and landlords to make commercial arrangements with members of the visiting forces.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department's policy not to provide information on the number of United States military personnel present at each of its bases in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
There is no specific policy that requires this Government to withhold the number of United States personnel based within the UK, however as previously advised we are withholding this information in the interest of personal security. The number of United States personnel at United States Visiting Forces (USVF) sites was disclosed in 2024, however, we are in a new era of threat that remains more serious and less predictable.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which agreements between the United States and the United Kingdom govern the presence of US National Security Agency personnel in Britain.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK–US intelligence relationship is one of the closest in the world, built primarily on the longstanding UK-USA Agreement and our Five Eyes partnership, reinforced by our network of bilateral defence and security arrangements. Any details on US intelligence personnel are classified. It is government practice not to disclose any information regarding personnel working in intelligence roles to protect national security.
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.