Asked by: Michelle Donelan (Conservative - Chippenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the ex-gratia redundancy scheme for Afghan interpreters.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The National Security Council-agreed Ex-Gratia Redundancy Scheme and the Intimidation Policy for Afghan local staff were announced on 4 June 2013 by the then Secretary of State for Defence. They were developed to express the UK's debt of gratitude to those staff who had supported its effort through the operation, to provide support to any who might face intimidation as a result of their work for the UK, and to recognise the then Afghan President's concern to retain the country's best and brightest citizens in order to help build a more stable and secure Afghanistan. By the end of December 2017, all local staff had been made redundant and some 400 had been relocated to the UK with their families with up to 50 more expected to follow. Others benefited from finance and training packages and from support to deal with intimidation concerns. The arrangements are kept under review in the light of developments in Afghanistan, including independent assurance of the application of the Intimidation Policy.
Asked by: Michelle Donelan (Conservative - Chippenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department’s plans are for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Security remains a priority for the Department and no decisions will be taken which would compromise the security of our personnel, information and assets.
The Ministry of Defence intends to fully explore and develop options, for the future provision of an effective unarmed guarding service for Defence establishments throughout the UK that achieves maximum value for money for tax payers. It is too early to determine how this service will be provided in the future.
Asked by: Michelle Donelan (Conservative - Chippenham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of claims that song-birds are being illegally trapped on land forming part of the UK Sovereign Base Territory in Cyprus.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Tackling illegal trapping of migratory birds is one of the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration's top priorities, with the level of trapping constantly under review, together with plans to counter it.
The trapping of birds is a widespread issue across the whole of Cyprus with substantial profits made by those who organise and control this activity. Whilst it is not confined to the SBA, the SBA Police uses all lawful means to target individuals involved in bird trapping. Last year, the SBA Administration prosecuted 78 people for bird trapping and poaching offences in the SBA, and the SBA Police conducted 39 major mist netting clearance operations, resulting in the seizure of over 1,000 mist-nets and over 450 limesticks. This enforcement has impacted on bird trapping activity and this kind of intervention will continue as part of the SBA Administration's continuing activities.
More recently, the SBA court in Dhekelia issued fines to 14 bird trappers of between €820 and €2,500, many of whom were caught in the act by hidden surveillance cameras on the Cape Pyla Ranges. Six of the trappers received prison sentences of between three and six months, suspended for three years. In addition to this, a SBA Police drone has been acquired and has provided them with an enhanced ability to track and catch bird trappers.