Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2018 deed of covenant undertakings provided by Melrose Industries, whether he has plans to issue a note of concern in relation to the announcement by GKN Aerospace that it intends to close its Kings Norton plant.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
As required by the undertakings provided last year, Melrose Industries have notified the Ministry of Defence (MOD) of their intention to relocate Defence work from GKN's Kings Norton site to other GKN sites. The MOD has discussed these proposals with Melrose and is confident that the important work that GKN does for Defence will continue. The MOD understands that there will be no overall reduction in GKN's defence capacity, as the defence work is being moved, not stopped. On that basis there are no plans to issue a note of concern.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military service complaints on the reversion of rank have been (a) made and (b) upheld in each of the last three years.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
This information is not available in the format requested. The number of individuals who have raised service complaints regarding the reversion of rank is fewer than five in any year, which is deemed low enough to risk identification of the individuals in question.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraphs 5.36 to 5.38 of the Cabinet Manual, what the Government's policy is on whether the convention that a debate in Parliament should be held before troops are committed in military action applies if troops are deployed in a non-combat role but then subsequently become involved in sustained and proactive combat activities as a result of a change in circumstances or a change in mission.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The Government has been clear that before troops are committed, the House of Commons should have an opportunity to debate the matter except when there was an emergency and such action would not be appropriate. We will continue to ensure that Parliament is kept informed of significant major operations and deployments of the Armed Forces. In observing the convention, we must ensure that the ability of our Armed Forces to act quickly and decisively, and to maintain the security of their operations, is not compromised.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK is currently using armed Reaper drones outside of Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK's Remotely Piloted Aircraft System - Reaper, currently operates in the Middle East in support of the Iraqi Government and Coalition allies' on-going operations to combat the threat of Daesh. I am unable to provide further information on the deployment of Reaper as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the rate of UK Reaper drone strikes in Iraq and Syria by month since the mission was launched; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mike Penning
The number of RAF Reaper strikes in Iraq and Syria since November 2014 is as follows:
| Number of Strikes | ||
Year | Month | Iraq | Syria |
2014 | November | 12 | 0 |
December | 9 | 0 | |
2015 | January | 14 | 0 |
February | 7 | 0 | |
March | 12 | 0 | |
April | 13 | 0 | |
May | 19 | 0 | |
June | 10 | 0 | |
July | 12 | 0 | |
August | 15 | 0 | |
September | 21 | 0 | |
October | 8 | 0 | |
November | 17 | 0 | |
December | 9 | 1 | |
2016 | January | 8 | 6 |
February | 1 | 3 | |
March | 3 | 2 | |
April | 2 | 2 | |
May | 5 | 1 | |
June | 23 | 1 | |
July | 6 | 4 | |
August | 9 | 2 | |
These strike numbers are constantly reviewed and updated by the Coalition to ensure records are as complete and accurate as possible. As such, past and future statements regarding statistics may differ to those given here.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Ministerial colleagues and (b) US counterparts on cooperation and assistance on counter-drone technology.
Answered by Philip Dunne
I have regular discussions with both Ministerial Colleagues and US counterparts on a range of issues, including counter-drone technologies.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK ground personnel based in Saudi Arabia have witnessed the (a) movement, (b) transport or (c) storage of cluster munitions in that country.
Answered by Michael Fallon
No.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the acceptable body mass index requirement is for an applicant to the Royal Navy.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines for entry into service in the Royal Navy are attached.
Further assessment is by measurement of waist circumference: males with a BMI over 28 may join if their waist circumference is less than 94cm; females may join if their waist circumference is less than 80 cm.
The standards do not change during the application process but BMI is measured as part of the medical assessment, and results may differ from a candidates' individual declaration and/or the outcome of the initial BMI check.
Asked by: Richard Burden (Labour - Birmingham, Northfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether applicants to the Royal Navy who meet an initial body mass index requirement of 28 face a different check at any other stage of the process.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines for entry into service in the Royal Navy are attached.
Further assessment is by measurement of waist circumference: males with a BMI over 28 may join if their waist circumference is less than 94cm; females may join if their waist circumference is less than 80 cm.
The standards do not change during the application process but BMI is measured as part of the medical assessment, and results may differ from a candidates' individual declaration and/or the outcome of the initial BMI check.