Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the National Maritime Information Centre shares all intelligence data with the government departments and agencies involved.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC) is an integral part of the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) and not a separate entity. The JMSC is responsible for providing Maritime Domain Awareness and Understanding to all of government and UK law enforcement: this is underpinned by the Royal Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness Programme which provides the essential data layer to JMSC.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 19 July (HL9306), what assessment they have made of whether the ships of the Russian Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research are responsible for surveys and operations involving seabed infrastructure.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
As a matter of long-standing policy, the Government does not comment on the specific detail of classified intelligence matters.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 10 July (HL8794), whether the National Maritime Information Centre records incursions into the UK's territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zone by ships of the Russian Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research; and if so, how many have been made during the past two years.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The National Maritime Information Centre is a part of the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC). JMSC does not routinely record and archive the number of entries by foreign vessels into the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone. The number of instances JMSC utilises aviation assets to identify specific Vessels of Interest is, however, recorded. In the last two years, JMSC has flown 21 flights to identify 18 Russian vessels.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) ships or craft, and (2) aircraft, are allocated by each department for security and enforcement operations in the UK's Territorial Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There are more than 100 surface vessels and 10 crewed aircraft available in the HMG inventory to deliver maritime security. The Government does not confirm exact numbers for operational and security reasons. The number available on any given day is based on operational readiness profiles; for example, requirements for maintenance and training, and use for wider operational tasking. The Joint Maritime Security Centre maintains a record of the HMG inventory, which is regularly reviewed and updated.
In delivering maritime security in the UK Marine Area, the UK operates a layered approach to coastal and maritime defence, including on-shore resources, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, to detect those seeking either to smuggle illicit goods or to facilitate illegal entry into the UK.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Joint Maritime Security Centre and National Maritime Information Centre are up to complement; and who has operational command.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
JMSC is jointly sponsored by the Home Office and Department for Transport, with support in kind provided by the Ministry of Defence. It is led by the Head of JMSC, currently James Morgan, a Border Force officer. Border Force exercises management responsibility over the JMSC on behalf of the Sponsoring Departments. It is expected to reach full complement later this year.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 28 March (HL6776), why the Merchant Navy Meritorious Service medal, which is for meritorious service, has been placed in the category of "efficiency and long service".
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service was placed in the category of Efficiency and Long Service Decorations and Medals by the Royal Household, alongside other awards of a similar nature, such as the Armed Forces Meritorious Service Medals.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 21 March (HL6375), whether the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service is on a par with the fire service, ambulance service and police meritorious service medals in the Order of Wear; and if not, why.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service is placed in the category of Efficiency and Long Service Decorations and Medals. It is set out in the Royal Warrant that “in the official list showing the order in which Orders, Decorations and Medals shall be worn, The Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service shall be placed immediately after the Jersey Honorary Police Medal for Long and Meritorious Service”.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, other than the Ministry of Defence, which departments monitor shipping, potential illegal imports by sea, and other sea-based threats.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department for Transport is responsible for policy and compliance relating to the security of UK shipping and ports, in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Many departments play a role in wider maritime security activity, including the monitoring of potential illegal imports by sea and other sea-based threats.
The National Strategy for Maritime Security, published in August 2022 by the Secretaries of State for the Department for Transport, Home Department, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, sets out the full spectrum of responsible departments, agencies and other organisations.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what powers they have to requisition UK-owned but not UK-flagged merchant ships.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There is a prerogative power to requisition in times of war or acute national emergency any merchant ship within United Kingdom jurisdiction. The powers apply only to British ships whether or not they are within the United Kingdom jurisdiction. The powers do not apply to British owned ships not registered on the British flag.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) Masters of UK flagged ships, and (2) Masters of UK owned but not UK flagged ships, are required to hold the latest Naval Control of Shipping documents.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
There is no requirement for a Master of a UK flagged ship or UK owned, but not UK flagged ship, to hold the latest “Naval Control of Shipping documents”.