Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports that Russia provided Iran with British and U.S. military equipment seized in Ukraine.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK condemns Iranian support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has made this clear to Iran including when the Iranian Chargé D'affaires was summoned on 3 October. Iran's supply of drones to Russia violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231. On 20 October, new UK sanctions targeted Iranian individuals and businesses responsible for supplying Russia with drones. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is already sanctioned. We are monitoring reports that Russia is providing Iran with British and U.S. military equipment seized in Ukraine. We will continue to work with international partners to ensure Russia and Iran are held to account.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when the review of levels of private parking charges and additional fees will be complete.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 54476 on 12th October 2022.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the refresh of the Integrated Review.
Answered by Ben Wallace
We are working across Government to support the update to the Integrated Review in line with Defence’s priorities. We will ensure we are investing in strategic capabilities and our alliances to deliver our priorities of protecting the nation, deterring our adversaries, and helping the nation prosper.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to injured Falkland Islands service personnel on operations, what his Department's policy is on (a) flying next of kin to the location of injured service personnel and (b) repatriating service personnel back to the Falklands if necessary.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Department's relevant policies are contained within Joint Service Publication 751 (Joint Casualty and Compassionate Policy and Procedures). Up to three family members or friends are eligible for travel, at public expense, to visit a dangerously ill or injured Service person (SP), if it benefits the SP to do so and the location is deemed safe for visitors. Repatriation of SP will also be paid for at public expense. The policy includes travel from/to anywhere in the world, including the Falkland Islands.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of when the Defence Recruitment System will again be operational online.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Army, in collaboration with Defence Digital, is working hard to resume digital recruiting through the Defence Recruitment System (DRS) as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Army has enacted its Business Continuity Plan, while DRS remains offline.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government's response to the Defence Committee's Second Report on Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life, published in December 2021, what progress he has made on scoping hosting an international conference in 2022 with partner nations.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We are grateful to all the women who contributed to the Defence Committee's report and continue to implement the bold changes necessary in this area. As stated in our response, Defence is committed to understanding best practice within other Armed Forces and Government Departments. As part of this, we are well advanced in our planning to host an international conference this year with partner nations and learn with our allies who share similar challenges. Further details on the conference will be published in due course.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase testing capacity for heavy goods vehicle drivers in Wales.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The number of available HGV driving tests across Great Britain has increased by 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels and currently stands at 3,200 tests per week. This includes increases in availability at driving test centres in Wales and Welsh drivers can also book test slots in England or Wales. Test capacity now exceeds demand and the provision of vocational tests is not a barrier to people becoming HGV drivers.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has appointed customer account managers to help trainers access vocational driving tests where and when they need them.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of when HMS Somerset will (a) commence sea trials and (b) be programmed for re-entry into service.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Type 23 frigate class is continually being updated and upgraded to meet new threats or to replace obsolete technology, this is achieved via a Through Life Management Plan.
On current plans, HMS SOMERSET is expected to commence sea trials in early 2022 and is currently anticipated to be ready to generate training and operations later in the year.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Triumph will start her re-fit program; and what the anticipated date is that she will re-enter service.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Government does not disclose operational information about Royal Navy submarines, as to do so could prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to guidance for Defence Primary Healthcare on identifying unpaid carers, published in 2018, how many and what proportion of Defence Primary Healthcare practices have a carers lead in place.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Of 107 Defence Primary Healthcare Medical Centres (practices), 95 (89%) currently have a carers lead in place.