Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy were rejected and subsequently appealed that decision as of 20 May 2024; and whether the Government has made an assessment of the adequacy of those figures in comparison with asylum applications through other routes.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
As of 20 May 2024, 6,324 applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme have used the right to seek a review of the eligibility decision that is set out in published policy. This represents approximately 7% of those found initially ineligible.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is only responsible for administering the ARAP scheme and is therefore unable to provide a comparison with appeals lodged in relation to asylum applications in the UK.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish (a) parental leave policies and (b) policies relating to flexible working which apply to members of the (i) Army Reserves, (ii) RAF Reserves, (iii) Naval Reserves and (iv) other military reserve units.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
Parental leave policies are contained in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 760 ‘Tri-Service Regulations for Leave and other Types of Absence’ and tri-Service policies on flexible working are contained within Joint Service Publication (JSP) 750 ‘Centrally Determined Terms of Service’.
JSP 760 can be found at the following website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1144674/JSP760_20230321.pdf. The relevant chapter of JSP 750 is Chapter 1 (Flexible Working - Alternative Working Arrangements), which is applicable to both Regular and Reserve personnel. Chapter 2 (Flexible Working – Flexible Service) is not applicable to Reserves; however, Reservists’ terms and conditions of service already offer a range of commitment types that cover part-time working and full-time working with limits on separation from assigned location. A copy of Chapters 1 and 2 of JSP 750 will be placed in the Library of the House.
JSPs are usually detailed, deep policy publications and therefore to make the information more accessible a ‘Flexible Working and You’ guide has also been produced to complement the JSP. A copy can be found at the following website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1153094/Flexible_Working_and_You_Apr_2023.pdf
Additionally, policy for parental leave and flexible working for Army Reservists is contained within the Reserve Land Forces Regulations 2016, the latest amendment of which can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-reserve-land-forces-regulations-2016-amendment-number-3
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether he plans to (a) revoke, (b) retain or (c) replace The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR).
Answered by Alex Chalk
The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR) will be revoked once the new procurement regime under the Procurement Bill, which includes Defence provisions and is currently going through Parliament, comes into effect.
To prevent a gap in statutory procurement regulation arising from the 'sunset' clause in the Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill revoking the DSPCR and other procurement regulations before the procurement regime under the Procurement Bill comes into effect, the DSPCR, along with the other public procurement regulations, will be saved using the powers in the REUL Bill. This allows the current procurement regulations to continue to apply until the new procurement regime is ready.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether he plans to (a) revoke, (b) retain or (c) replace the Service Police Codes of Practice.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are committed to the regulation of Service Police powers and procedures in the investigation of offences in the Service Justice System. Our current Service Police Codes of Practice will be retained in law. The legislative basis for the Codes will be changed so that they form part of UK, rather than European Union, law.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, what plans he has to (a) retain (b) revoke or (c) replace the Armed Forces (Court Martial Rules) 2009
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are committed to supporting fully those victims of crime who are going through the Service Justice System. The current Armed Forces (Court Martial Rules) 2009 and Court Martial Appeal Court Rules 2009 implemented some elements of EU law and these will be retained. The legislative basis for these parts of the Court Martial Rules will be changed so that they form part of UK, rather than European Union, law.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether they plan to (a) revoke, (b) retain or (c) replace the Court Martial Appeal Court Rules 2009.
Answered by Andrew Murrison
We are committed to supporting fully those victims of crime who are going through the Service Justice System. The current Armed Forces (Court Martial Rules) 2009 and Court Martial Appeal Court Rules 2009 implemented some elements of EU law and these will be retained. The legislative basis for these parts of the Court Martial Rules will be changed so that they form part of UK, rather than European Union, law.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, what plans he has to (a) revoke (b) replace and (c) retain the Criminal Justice (Armed Forces Code of Practice for Victims of Crime) Regulations 2015.
Answered by Alex Chalk
We are committed to supporting fully those victims of crime who are going through the Service Justice System. Our current Armed Forces Code of Practice for Victims of Crime will be retained in law and updated to reflect provisions for civilians, adapted where necessary for the Service environment. The legislative basis for the Armed Forces Code will be changed so that it forms part of UK, rather than European Union, law.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency funding his Department has allocated in relation to the Government's negotiations on the UK leaving the EU for the (a) current, (b) 2018-19 and (c) 2019-20 financial year.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence has worked closely across Government to identify costs that would arise from any necessary contingency action. These costs have been scoped but the Department has not yet needed to commit any expenditure.
The evolution and complexity of the challenges facing us require the UK and EU to continue to collaborate closely in foreign policy, defence and development - to uphold and project our shared values, combat our shared threats, and promote our mutual prosperity.
The Government therefore remains confident a deal will be struck and this funding will not be required.