Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 27 November 2023 (HL200), what assessment they have made of the accuracy of report of the Board of Inquiry into the Nimrod crash on 2 September 1995, taking into consideration the rules pertaining to such boards of inquiry at that time, and its finding that Flight Lieutenant Dominic Gilbert was to blame for the crash.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is not possible to re-consider aspects of Boards of Inquiry held in the past without full reinvestigation of the original incident. It would not be in the public interest to re-open any such inquiries, where it is deemed there are no lessons to be identified for the Service, such as when aircraft are no longer in service. The likely complexity of such work due to the passage of time and the need to re-allocate Departmental resources are also significant considerations.
In 1997 Defence Ministers directed that BOI should not be permitted to attribute blame or negligence in cases of unnatural death or serious injury. Subsequently, in 2008, Boards of Inquiry were replaced by Service Inquiries under the Armed Forces Act 2006, separating accident investigation from the operational chain of command.
Service Inquiries (SI) are not permitted to find negligence or apportion blame, in order to encourage an open reporting culture, and to ensure that full and frank evidence be provided to SI panels.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the conclusions of the Boards of Inquiry into the fatal accidents of (1) the Chinook crash on 2 June 1994 and (2) the Nimrod crash on 2 September 1995, what assessment they have made of the similarities between the conclusions reached on human failings in each report.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As the noble Lord will be aware, Lord Philip’s independent review of 2011 into the Mull of Kintyre accident of 1994 was instrumental in the replacement of Boards of Inquiry with Service Inquiries. A Service Inquiry is an inquiry held under statute and seeks to identify where there are lessons to help prevent recurrence. As such, Service Inquiries are not permitted to apportion blame or find negligence.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution they intend the UK to make to NATO's Four 30s initiative.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The maritime, land, and air assets that will deliver NATO's "4-30s" Readiness Initiative will be in addition to the capabilities already committed to the NATO Response Force. However, the specific requirements are being defined by NATO and national contributions will be confirmed when that process is complete.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was meant by the word "additional" in the NATO Brussels Summit Declaration of 11 July which stated in paragraph 14 that "Allies will offer an additional 30 major naval combatants, 30 heavy or medium manoeuvre battalions, and 30 kinetic air squadrons, with enabling forces, at 30 days readiness or less".
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The maritime, land, and air assets that will deliver NATO's "4-30s" Readiness Initiative will be in addition to the capabilities already committed to the NATO Response Force. However, the specific requirements are being defined by NATO and national contributions will be confirmed when that process is complete.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the future waterproofing requirements of the armed forces of (a) the UK and (b) other NATO member states; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration has been given to different future requirements for waterproofs of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether waterproofs procured under the Taped Seam Contract will be designed to be worn under or over body armour.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Defence Equipment and Support plans to include a requirement for flame retardancy in future waterproof garments under the next Taped Seam Contract.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Defence Equipment and Support plans to include a requirement for chemical and biological protection in future waterproof garments under the next Taped Seam Contract.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.
Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what specifications the Taped Seam Contract will set out for future waterproofs; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.
The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.