Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps is he taking to support SMEs in the Defence supply chain to develop innovative technologies.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to do business with defence, as we recognise that they are a rich source of innovation. We are working to improve our engagement with SMEs throughout our supply chain; for example, encouraging early visibility of forthcoming requirements, and expressing our requirements as outputs rather than detailed solutions to facilitate innovation.
The MOD is also encouraging SME involvement in the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and the £800 million Defence Innovation Fund. DASA helps government defence and security departments collaborate with the private sector and academia to rapidly develop innovative solutions to our most pressing national security and defence challenges. Since its establishment, DASA has committed £53 million to suppliers, with around half of the contracts awarded to SMEs.
To help develop innovative technologies, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has also just launched 'SME Searchlight', an initiative to actively find and engage SMEs for defence research.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to recruit more Gurkhas into the British Army; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Gurkhas continue to make an outstanding contribution to the UK through their service in the British Army and are rightly held in high esteem. Gurkhas are recruited on an annual basis, based on the requirements set by the Brigade of Gurkhas, and we plan to continue annual recruiting on an enduring basis.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to increase the pension for former Gurkha soldiers; and if will he make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Government is committed to ensuring that Gurkha veterans continue to receive a fair pension which provides for a good standard of living in Nepal. Gurkha pensions are currently increased in two ways. The first is through an annual increase based on the rate of inflation set by the Nepali Central Bank each year. The second is following a review of the outcome of the 10 yearly Indian Central Pay Commission to determine whether changes made to Indian pension rates, which Gurkha pension rates are currently based on, require increases to be made to British Gurkha Pension rates. The latest review is nearly complete and we expect to announce the outcome in due course.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will bring forward legislative proposals for a statute of limitations to protect British veterans of combat operations in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Iraq, (c) Afghanistan, (d) the Falklands and (e) all other combat theatres from (i) repeat prosecutions and (ii) unfounded historical allegations.
Answered by Gavin Williamson
In respect of Northern Ireland, the Government believes that the institutions proposed in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement are the best way to ensure a fair, balanced and proportionate approach to addressing the legacy of the past. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is currently consulting on how the Stormont House Agreement could be implemented. In recognition of the fact that others - such as the House of Commons Defence Committee - support different ways forward such as the creation of a statute of limitations, the NIO consultation includes an open question to allow those views to be expressed. The Government will consider all responses to the consultation before deciding on next steps.
In respect of Iraq, the Iraq Historical Allegations Team was closed in June 2017 and its remaining caseload passed to the service police, who expect their investigations to be substantially complete around the end of 2018.
On Afghanistan, Operation Northmoor has completed over 95% of its caseload. Investigations are expected to be concluded by the end of 2018.
The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any historic criminal investigations in respect of events in the Falklands or other combat theatres.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to deploy additional troops to Afghanistan; what role those troops will have; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
No decisions have been taken on sending additional UK troops to Afghanistan. The UK makes an important contribution to the non-combat NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, and as a result, our contribution is kept under regular review to ensure it remains suited to the needs of the mission.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the proportion of parachute regiment personnel that are up to date with parachute training; and whether he plans to increase the provision of jump training.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
89% of eligible regular personnel in The Parachute Regiment are qualified and 'competent' parachutists, meaning they have the requisite level of skill as a military parachutist to conduct their job. Detailed information regarding readiness is not released as it would disclose to adversaries the picture of our capability in Defence.
From April 2017 the Army has increased the number of Army Parachute Jump Instructors and the provision of parachutes.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to provide a 24/7 mental health care helpline for veterans and serving soldiers in the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to ensuring that both serving personnel and veterans are given the mental healthcare and treatment they need. As well as Defence Medical Services we also work in close partnership with a variety of different organisations, including the NHS (which is responsible for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans) and Service charities. For example, on the 9 October last year we announced a new partnership with the Royal Foundation, aimed at helping maintain and develop good mental fitness, thus changing the conversation around mental health into a positive and proactive one.
During working hours, there are a range of options available to Service personnel requiring mental healthcare or advice. These include contacting either their Service GP, unit medical centre, Service mental health unit, welfare, or through pastoral support. Personnel who are receiving treatment at one of the MOD's mental health facilities are also given advice on obtaining out-of-hours help. This includes contacting the local medical centre, the local NHS accident and emergency department, or one of the existing 24-hour mental health helplines. The various helplines available include the free 24-hour mental health helpline run by the charity Combat Stress (supported by the MOD), and MOD's Veterans UK free helpline (which out-of-hours provides links to the Combat Stress helpline and the Samaritans), as well as the Big White Wall, a 24-hour online community which provides safe, anonymous support to anyone struggling with mental health issues. These are all available to Service personnel, veterans, their families and dependents.
Military GP practices already provide out-of-hours medical support and are able to arrange emergency admissions if necessary. The individuals who staff the Combat Stress helpline are also trained to identify patients who are in a crisis state and who require immediate hospital admission, and will provide the necessary advice and assistance to enable them to be seen, assessed and managed in accordance with agreed protocols for people in crisis. Clinical advice is that the introduction of a separate MOD-staffed 24-hour helpline would only complicate an already volatile situation, adding additional risk which would not be in the best interests of the patient.
We believe these arrangements are robust and effective in ensuring personnel get the appropriate help whenever they need it.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he expects defence cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia to increase as a result of his Department's announcement of the UK signing of a new military and security cooperation agreement with that country on 19 September 2017.
Answered by Michael Fallon
Yes.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide an update on progress on the potential order by Qatar of 24 Typhoon aircraft.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The discussions with Qatar over the possible purchase of 24 Typhoon and six Hawk aircraft are ongoing following the signature of a Statement of Intent by the Qatari Defence Minister and the UK Defence Secretary on 17 September 2017. Given the commercial nature of these discussions it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
Asked by: Leo Docherty (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the sale of a second tranche of Typhoon aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
This Government recognises fully the potential benefits of securing future export orders for Typhoon aircraft. In respect of Saudi Arabia, Ministers and officials are in regular contact with their counterparts to discuss how the UK might help meet that nation's legitimate defence and security requirements. These discussions have included a potential second batch order for Typhoon aircraft.