Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how and when LGBT veterans can apply for a financial award.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Government acknowledges the importance of timeliness whilst being acutely aware of the considerations that must be made to ensure a fair outcome. Experts across Government are working at pace to deliver a financial award scheme, acknowledging that the process is intricate and must be followed correctly, and aim to deliver this before the end of 2024.
The Government encourages those affected to register their interest in applying for a financial award by completing the Application and Registration of Interest form on the following webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps. Such registrations of interest will enable the Government to learn more about the affected community and thereby design the most suitable scheme possible.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to protect HMNB Portsmouth from flooding.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
His Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth has recently commissioned and received a detailed Flood Risk Assessment. The data included in this assessment and in planned follow-on work will inform our infrastructure programme for the Naval Base. HMNB is also working in collaboration with the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a National Defence Medal for those who served in the armed forces.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Friday 2 June by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the Cabinet Office (Johnny Mercer), to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Dr Luke Evans) in response to Question 187235.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what order his Department is issuing Nuclear Test Medals in; and how many Nuclear Test Medals had been issued by 16 October 2023.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The total number of Nuclear Test Medal (NTM) applications received as at 16 October 2023 was 3,198 and 1,060 awards have been issued so far.
The initial priority was given to veterans who had applied prior to 18 September 2023 with applications from those over 90 and/or the terminally ill reviewed first. The MOD is now starting to issue medals to widows who had applied prior to 18 September 2023, whilst continuing to process new cases from veterans. Once widow applications have been processed this will be followed by the processing of applications from other next of kin.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications his Department has received for the Nuclear Test Medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The total number of Nuclear Test Medal (NTM) applications received as at 16 October 2023 was 3,198 and 1,060 awards have been issued so far.
The initial priority was given to veterans who had applied prior to 18 September 2023 with applications from those over 90 and/or the terminally ill reviewed first. The MOD is now starting to issue medals to widows who had applied prior to 18 September 2023, whilst continuing to process new cases from veterans. Once widow applications have been processed this will be followed by the processing of applications from other next of kin.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2023 to Question HL8900, on Armed Forces: HIV Infection, if he will publish the medical policy on medical conditions that preclude individuals from serving in Aircrew and Controller roles.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2023 to Question HL8900, on Armed Forces: HIV Infection, what the evidential basis is for precluding individuals with HIV from serving in Aircrew and Controller roles.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence Aviation Medicine specialists completed a comprehensive, evidenced based review on HIV, its impact, prognosis, and treatment. Recent policy changes in civil aviation were considered in the formulation of the policy regarding HIV and the Aircrew profession, which was endorsed by a tri-Service committee comprised of medical specialists. The Chief Medical Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Senior Medical Officer of the National Air Traffic Control Service are members of this committee to ensure appropriate benchmarking of military aviation medicine policy against civilian standards. The policy, which was accepted and endorsed by aviation medical professionals and duty risk holders, is aligned with extant and long-standing aviation risk parameters.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of surface fleet maintenance support contracts tendered under the Naval Support Integrated Global Network on the profitability of existing packages.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 July 2023 to Question 193697.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with Portsmouth City Council on the potential merits of including Portsmouth Naval Base in the local flooding protection plan.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
His Majesty's Naval Base (Portsmouth) engages regularly with the Portsmouth City Council (PCC) on a range of issues. No discussions have yet been held with PCC on including the Base in the local flooding protection plan. The Royal Navy does intend to engage with PCC in due course.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth in 2024.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the significance of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day next year as an important opportunity to recognise the service and sacrifice of those who fought to liberate Europe in the closing stages of World War Two, as well as to mark the United Kingdom’s significant, ongoing, contribution to peace and security in Europe and beyond.
Defence officials are working with colleagues in other Government departments, and with various external stakeholders, to put together an appropriate programme of events to mark the occasion in the UK and in France. To that end, initial discussions have taken place between Defence officials and Portsmouth City Council, and the MOD aims to work with the Council to ensure that an appropriate event is held in Portsmouth as part of that wider programme.