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.

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.

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.