Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what responsibilities his Department has in providing alternative safe, legal and compliant space for the Crowborough Cadets at Crowborough Training Camp, in the context of its proposed use for asylum seeker accommodation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of all Cadets extremely seriously. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions. Our priority is ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that we can continue delivering Cadet programmes. We will also ensure that staff, Cadets and their families are kept abreast of any updates.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what responsibilities he has for the Crowborough cadets at Crowborough training camp.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government takes the safety and wellbeing of all Cadets extremely seriously. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces and future activities, and to develop any necessary mitigating actions. Our priority is ensuring these developments have limited impact on our Cadets, and we will always apply the appropriate safeguarding measures so that we can continue delivering Cadet programmes. We will also ensure that staff, Cadets and their families are kept abreast of any updates.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role and responsibilities his Department has for cadet security and protection on Army training camps.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence takes the safety and wellbeing of all cadets extremely seriously. Cadets receive the same level of security as other users of the
Defence Estate, aligned to the UK Threat Level and Response.
Cadet facilities on the Defence Estate fall under the Head of Establishment; those in other locations not on the Defence Estate are overseen by the local Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association.
Defence operates a robust safeguarding system open to referrals from cadets, volunteers and parents, with all concerns investigated. Physical security is reviewed regularly, and risk assessments are aligned to security regulations. Industry partners that work on site are subject to the minimum vetting of Baseline Personnel Security Standards.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Accommodation Strategy.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
Following the publication of the Defence Accommodation Strategy, the single Services and other enabling organisations are drafting plans that will underpin the delivery of the Strategy’s objectives in providing high-quality subsidised accommodation our Service personnel deserve. These plans will be refreshed annually, reported on quarterly and the single Services will be spending £1.6 billion over the next 10 years improving and building new Single Living Accomodation. Ongoing assessment of Armed Forces’ personnel satisfaction will be front and centre in judging the success of the strategy and guiding future plans.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Carrier Strike Group’s ongoing deployment.
Answered by Ben Wallace
The carrier strike group has not only visited and worked with over 44 nations on its tour, but has had visits from 63 Ministers. It is great convenor and a great presence that, made in Britain, definitely does go around the world showing that Britain can do both soft and hard power, and do it with quality.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will introduce a National Defence Medal.
Answered by James Heappey
It is understood that many of those who have served in the Armed Forces feel that their service has not been properly recognised, and that they ought to receive a medal. However, medals in the UK Honours system are awarded in recognition of risk and rigour faced while on active service, and are not given for Service alone. There are, therefore, no plans to introduce a National Defence Medal.