Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the law is on British citizens travelling abroad to fight in foreign wars.
Answered by James Heappey
We advise against all travel to Ukraine.
Depending on the planned activity and the circumstances, travel to engage in overseas conflict could give rise to offences under UK law, including terrorism and war crimes. There are also laws preventing British subjects in certain circumstances engaging in military service for a foreign state under Foreign Enlistment Act 1870. Cases would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has been made of the potential merits of introducing a national defence medal.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey) on 19 March 2020 to Question 30067 to the hon. Member for Broadland (Mr Jerome Mayhew).
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress she has made in processing Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme applications.
Answered by James Heappey
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for those who worked with the UK in Afghanistan remains open. The ARAP scheme is not time limited, and the Government is working to facilitate the continued relocation of those who are eligible.
As of 31 January, over 107,000 applications to the ARAP scheme have been received since the commencement of the scheme in April 2021; many of which are found to be incomplete or duplications.
A dedicated team of caseworkers are working seven days a week to process pending applications, and to date their efforts have resulted in the relocation to the UK of over 8,000 eligible applicants and dependants.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have qualified for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme to date.
Answered by James Heappey
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for those who worked with the UK in Afghanistan remains open. The ARAP scheme is not time limited, and the Government is working to facilitate the continued relocation of those who are eligible.
As of 31 January, over 107,000 applications to the ARAP scheme have been received since the commencement of the scheme in April 2021; many of which are found to be incomplete or duplications.
A dedicated team of caseworkers are working seven days a week to process pending applications, and to date their efforts have resulted in the relocation to the UK of over 8,000 eligible applicants and dependants.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on taking steps to work together to help tackle youth unemployment.
Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
Defence has a close relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions. Initiatives include the Armed Forces Employability Pathway Scheme, contributing to Job Centre Plus resources in support of Work Coaches and their clients, and Job Centre Plus support for online Armed Forces workshops. The Armed Forces continue to offer young people world class training through highly respected Apprenticeship schemes and a uniquely challenging and constructive career.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 May 2018 to Question 138368 on military intervention, how many cases where lethal force has been used by UK forces outside of armed conflict Parliament has not yet been notified of.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
None.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2018 to Question 136629, whether there a limit on the time between the use of lethal force outside of an armed conflict and the subsequent notification of Parliament.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There is no mandated timescale for the notification of Parliament. However, we would do so at the earliest practicable opportunity.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2018 to Question 133771, if his Department will take steps to notify Parliament when lethal force is used by British armed forces outside of an area of armed conflicts to which the UK is party.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
As the Government has stated previously, if the UK resorts to the use of lethal force outside of an armed conflict against an armed attack or the imminent threat of an armed attack, Parliament will be notified. However, for security and operational reasons such notification may need to be after any such use of force has taken place.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the use of lethal force is confined to (a) armed conflicts in which the UK is openly involved and (b) exceptional circumstances in which there is an imminent threat to the UK.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The use of offensive lethal force overseas is controlled by robust Rules of Engagement and is ordinarily confined to armed conflicts in which the UK is openly involved. However, and as the Government has stated previously, if the UK is subject to an armed attack or the imminent threat of an armed attack, it reserves the right to take action first and inform Parliament after the event. Any decision to use lethal force outside of an armed conflict would be conducted on a case by case basis but always cognisant of the international law principles of necessity and proportionality.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the UK’s (a) legal framework and (b) guidance on its use of lethal force.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Clive Betts) in response to Question 128425 on 22 February 2018.