Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2024 to Question 9726 on Red Sea: Shipping, whether he had discussions with his international counterparts on the potential merits of countries other than (a) the UK and (b) the US taking part in military action in the Red Sea on 12 January 2024.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK and United States' military action on 22 January 2023 against Houthi targets was taken with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.
The Defence Secretary continues to engage counterparts to ensure a robust international response to the Red Sea situation.
On 23 January, the US and UK were joined by 23 countries in issuing another Joint Statement condemning the illegal and reckless Houthis attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. The Joint Statement noted that the latest US and UK led strikes were in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence, consistent with the UN Charter. It also highlighted how the thirty-plus attacks that the Houthis have launched against commercial and naval vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to all countries that rely on international maritime shipping. It also underscored that those who supply the Houthis with weapons to conduct these attacks are violating UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Prime Minister during the oral statement on Defending the UK and Allies of 15 January 2024, Official Report, column 577, for what reason only forces from the UK and USA took part in the action in the Red Sea on 11 January 2024.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK and United States' military action on 12 January against Houthi targets was taken with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands.
Ten countries, including Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and Republic of Korea, signed a joint statement on the strikes, re-iterating to the Houthis that we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in the face of continued threats.
This followed a 3 January joint statement from by the UK, US and ten allies, including Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, calling for the immediate end to the Houthis' illegal activities.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2021 to Question 46925 on Afghanistan: Refugees, what steps the Government is taking to support (a) welfare provision and (b) onward travel to the UK for people who were called forward for evacuation from Afghanistan but were unable to reach Kabul Airport, and who have subsequently travelled to Pakistan.
Answered by James Heappey
Individuals who were called forward for evacuation but were unable to board a flight during Operation PITTING, who have subsequently arrived in a third country such as Pakistan, will be assisted by the High Commission, including support from the Defence Attaché. We are doing all we can to look after these individuals and will facilitate onward travel to the UK as soon as necessary security checks are completed. We are working with partners across Government and countries in the region to facilitate safe passage out of Afghanistan and to the UK for all eligible individuals.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to provide support to families in Afghanistan who followed instructions to go to Kabul Airport for military evacuation but were unable to enter the Airport before the evacuation ended.
Answered by James Heappey
The MOD is doing everything it possibly can for those called forward but not evacuated under the ARAP scheme. We are in contact with the majority of them and are continuing to press the Taliban for their safe passage. Some may decide to make their way to third countries – we will provide whatever support we can with their journey. We have arrangements in place for their welfare in third countries and their subsequent journey on to the UK.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the accuracy of reports that Israeli (a) F-16 fighter jets and (b) Apache helicopters carrying out airstrikes on Gaza contain British-supplied components; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Heappey
HM Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We consider all export applications thoroughly against a strict risk assessment framework and keep all licences under careful and continual review as standard. HM Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. HM Government publishes quarterly and annual statistics on all our export licensing decisions, including details of export licences granted, refused and revoked. These can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-organisation
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer dated 13 October 2020 to Question 907478 on USA: RAF Croughton, what assessment he has made of the US Government's compliance with obligations under Article II of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement in respect of activities at RAF Croughton.
Answered by James Heappey
The legal status of US military personnel stationed at RAF Croughton is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement 1951 (SOFA), and by the Visiting Forces Act 1952 which was enacted in order to implement relevant provisions of the SOFA in UK domestic law. It is my assessment that the US military personnel stationed at RAF Croughton are in full compliance with the terms of this legal framework.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many enlisted soldiers aged (a) under and (b) over 18 gained A*-C GCSE qualifications in (i) English and (ii) mathematics in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 April 2016 to Question 33691 to the hon. Member for East Ham (Stephen Timms).
The Army provides funded opportunities for personnel to gain Functional Skills in literacy and numeracy. Individuals may choose to pursue GCSE qualifications with the support of learning credits, but as this is a voluntary undertaking we do not track or record this information.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that armed forces recruits aged between 16 and 19 without a GCSE in mathematics or English are prepared for later life outside the armed forces.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides Service personnel with a range of educational, learning and development opportunities with our Learning Centres employing English and mathematics tutors who are employed to teach in numeracy and literacy. Over 95% of recruits are enrolled into an Apprenticeship Programme each year, regardless of their age, which ensures that Service personnel gain a Level 2 in numeracy and literacy. This is the equivalent of a GCSE.
It is an Ofsted goal that we encourage our people to achieve maths and English GCSE. The Ministry of Defence does actively encourage our Personnel to gain GCSE maths and English, and provides many opportunities for them to do this in their career with classes run in learning and development centres using part time Service instructors; or using distance learning programmes for exams sat on operational units and in shore bases.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what opportunities the Department offers to trainee soldiers under the age of 18 to re-sit GCSEs as part of their elective personal development.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 May to Question number 37109.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 April 2016 to Question 34910, what qualifications are required by his Department for English and mathematics tutors teaching functional skills in numeracy and literacy.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 May 2016 to Question 37111.