Steven Paterson

Scottish National Party - Former Member for Stirling

First elected: 7th May 2015

Left House: 3rd May 2017 (Defeated)



Division Voting information

Steven Paterson has voted in 323 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
David Lidington (Conservative)
(33 debate interactions)
Chris Grayling (Conservative)
(17 debate interactions)
Michael Fallon (Conservative)
(10 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Ministry of Defence
(37 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(32 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(20 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(10 debate contributions)
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View all Steven Paterson's debates

Stirling Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Steven Paterson has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Steven Paterson

26th April 2017
Steven Paterson signed this EDM on Wednesday 26th April 2017

SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS

Tabled by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
That this House congratulates the University of St Andrews on its continued success in higher education league tables; notes that St Andrews was recently ranked first in Scotland and third in the UK by the Complete University Guide; further notes that this marks a rise in two places from 2016 …
51 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 50
Independent: 1
26th April 2017
Steven Paterson signed this EDM on Wednesday 26th April 2017

CHRIS GREEN OBE AND WHITE RIBBON UK

Tabled by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
That this House congratulates Chris Green on being awarded an OBE for services to equality in the Queen's honours list; notes that Chris set up White Ribbon UK in 2004, recognising the positive role that men can play in ending violence against women; understands that from 2005 to 2008 Chris …
27 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Apr 2017)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 24
Labour: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Independent: 1
View All Steven Paterson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Steven Paterson, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Steven Paterson has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Steven Paterson

Wednesday 7th December 2016

Steven Paterson has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Steven Paterson has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
4th Jul 2016
To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if the Electoral Commission will make an assessment of the effect of extending the franchise for Scottish Parliament elections to 16 and 17 year olds on the level of youth engagement in the electoral process.

The Commission is currently collecting information to inform its statutory report on the Scottish Parliament elections. The report will include information about turnout and participation among 16- and 17-year-olds.

The report will also identify any conclusions which can be drawn from comparison with turnout and participation at previous polls, particularly the 2014 referendum.

12th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many officials will be involved in the national securing checking of the text of the Iraq Inquiry report.

The following Departments will be involved in National Security checking: Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Agencies.

National Security checking will ensure that the Government meets its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights so that on publication the lives or safety of individuals are not put at risk. It will also ensure that publication of the report will not compromise national security.

12th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria will be used to decide what material will be redacted from the Iraq Inquiry report during the national security checking process.

The following Departments will be involved in National Security checking: Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Agencies.

National Security checking will ensure that the Government meets its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights so that on publication the lives or safety of individuals are not put at risk. It will also ensure that publication of the report will not compromise national security.

12th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is leading the team which will undertake the national security checking of the text of the Iraq Inquiry report.

The following Departments will be involved in National Security checking: Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Agencies.

National Security checking will ensure that the Government meets its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights so that on publication the lives or safety of individuals are not put at risk. It will also ensure that publication of the report will not compromise national security.

12th Apr 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Departments are involved in the national security checking of the text of the Iraq Inquiry report.

The following Departments will be involved in National Security checking: Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Agencies.

National Security checking will ensure that the Government meets its obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights so that on publication the lives or safety of individuals are not put at risk. It will also ensure that publication of the report will not compromise national security.

9th Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent by the National Cyber Security Programme in each of the last five years.

Since the UK’s first Cyber Security Strategy was published in 2011, we have invested £860m in a National Cyber Security Programme to support the UK’s economic prosperity, protect our national security and safeguard the public’s way of life by building a more trusted and resilient digital environment. The National Cyber Security Programme’s budget breaks down annually as follows: 2011/12 – £105m 2012/13 – £155m 2013/14 – £180m 2014/15 – £210m 2015/16 – £210m We are investing £1.9bn in the next Cyber Security Programme, from financial years 2016/17 until 2020/21, which will give the UK the next generation of cyber security and make our country one of the safest places to do business online.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many cyber assessments have been undertaken by the Centre for Cyber Assessment in each year since that centre was established.

The CCA was avowed in June 2015. We do not comment on security matters.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government customers have received reports from the Centre for Cyber Assessment.

The CCA was avowed in June 2015. We do not comment on security matters.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many organisations have been assisted in recovery from cyber-attack by the Cyber Incident Response Team in each year since that team was established.

CERT-UK is the UK National Computer Emergency Response Team. CERT-UK advises organisations on what actions to take in the event of a cyber incident and offers advice and guidance on how to mitigate threats pre and post incident through one to one meetings and through its online sharing platform, the Cyber-security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP). CERT-UK has dealt with 1170 incidents since its launch in March 2014.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK businesses have participated in the Be Cyber Streetwise campaign.

The Cyber Streetwise campaign has been supported by fifty-six private sector businesses in a variety of ways. This figure includes membership associations, but excludes public sector organisations such as the police, universities and Neighbourhood Watch.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have taken part in the Cyber Security Challenge Competition in each year since its inception.

Cyber security skills and talent are vital to protecting the UK. The Cyber Security Challenge UK competition aims to bring more talented people into the cyber security profession and address a critical skills shortage that affects government bodies, businesses and citizens alike. The number of people who have taken part in the Cyber Security Challenge Competition each year since its inception is as follows:

• 2011 – 4,000;

• 2012 – 2,785;

• 2013 – 2,910;

• 2014 – 2,104;

• 2015 – 7,018

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many organisations have been assisted in recovery from cyber-attack by the Cyber Incident Response Team in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) England and (d) Northern Ireland.

CERT-UK is the UK National Computer Emergency Response Team. CERT-UK advises organisations on what actions to take in the event of a cyber incident and offers advice and guidance on how to mitigate threats pre and post incident through one to one meetings and through its online sharing platform, the Cyber-security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP). CERT-UK has dealt with 1170 incidents since its launch in March 2014.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what Government departments and agencies are represented on the board of directors of the Centre for Cyber Assessment.

The CCA was avowed in June 2015. We do not comment on security matters.

21st Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his Department plans to complete the ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

An explanatory memorandum initiating the UK’s domestic approval of the Agreement was laid on 7th October 2016 with a view to completing the domestic procedures that will enable ratification before the end of the year.

27th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for UK Erasmus students, lecturers and research fellows of the UK leaving the EU.

At the February European Council, the Government negotiated a new settlement, giving the United Kingdom a special status in a reformed European Union. The Government's position, as set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the House on 22 February, is that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

2nd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has a communication's strategy to tackle violent extremism.

The Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October last year, set out government's response to the threat posed by extremism. As part of that response, the Department is supporting the Home Office led communications strategy. This includes work with broadcasters and technology companies to counter extremist ideologies, and to disrupt those sharing extremist content in the media and online.

9th Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises protect themselves against cyber-attack.

The Government’s National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) aims to tackle cyber crime and make the UK the safest place in the world to do business in the world. This includes the Cyber Essentials Scheme to protect businesses against common cyber threats and the cyber streetwise campaign which offers simple cyber security advice to small businesses and consumers. In addition to the £860 million investment under the NCSP between 2011-2016, in November 2015 the Chancellor announced a new five year £1.9 billion investment in cyber security to make the UK one of the best protected countries in cyber space.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a) small businesses, (b) large corporations and (c) Government departments and agencies reported breaches of cyber security in 2015.

This information can be found in the 2015 Information Security Breaches Survey [Link]. The Government’s National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) aims to tackle cyber crime and make the UK the safest place in the world to do business in the world. This includes the Cyber Essentials Scheme to protect businesses against common cyber threats and the cyber streetwise campaign which offers simple cyber security advice to small businesses and consumers. In addition to the £860 million investment under the NCSP between 2011-2016, in November 2015 the Chancellor announced a new five year £1.9 billion investment in cyber security to make the UK one of the best protected countries in cyber space.

All Government departments must adhere to the Government’s Security Policy Framework and are required to report, manage and recover from information risk incidents, including losses of protected personal data and ICT security incidents.

3rd Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) other businesses have signed up to the Cyber Essentials Scheme.

At the end of January 2016, 1,674 Cyber essentials and Cyber essentials Plus certificates have been issued, of which 80% were awarded to micro, small and medium-sized businesses.

18th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the second report on the IAAF of the Independent Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency, published on 15 January 2016.

The findings of the report are disturbing. The government is committed to tackling corruption in sport and we will continue working with UK Anti-Doping and sport stakeholders to ensure that our athletes can compete in a clean sport environment.

24th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department is making on early intervention programmes to reduce educational inequality.

We recognise the vital importance of early intervention, particularly for the most disadvantaged members of society and the crucial role played by education and children’s services in promoting good outcomes for children and families. The latest Early Years Foundation Stage Profile results available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2014-to-2015 show that the proportion of children achieving a good level of development in relation to the most deprived areas, SEN, free school meal eligibility, term of birth, first language and ethnicity is improving. The proportion of children eligible for FSM has increased from 45% in 2014 to 51% in 2015 and the gap between FSM and other children has narrowed from 18.9 percentage points in 2014 to 17.7 in 2015.

1st Feb 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on ensuring that farmers receive a fair price for milk.

We continue to support our hard-working dairy farmers by reducing inspections, extending the system of tax averaging, and opening new export markets.

The £26.2 million aid package we secured from the European Commission has helped to provide some immediate relief. A number of supermarkets have also pledged to pay a premium over and above the current market price.

28th Apr 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the Cabinet Office on a cross-governmental approach to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Secretary of State for International Development leads on this government’s approach to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, with support from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster where appropriate. This will be a cross-government effort with individual Secretaries of State accountable through their single departmental plans. There will be continuous bilateral discussions with individual departments across Government. The Government also intends to produce a report in due course setting out how the UK is contributing to the Global Goals.

26th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, by how much the disability employment gap has been reduced since 7 May 2015.

The UK employment rates for disabled and non-disabled people are monitored quarterly based on the Labour Force Survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics. The latest available figures can be found here:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/november-2015/table-a08.xls

Only year on year comparisons can be made because the data are not seasonally adjusted. Therefore, the change in the UK disability employment gap since 7 May 2015 is not yet available.

18th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to which countries of the UK his Department's target to halve the disability employment gap during the current Parliament applies.

Employment is a reserved matter. Progress towards halving the disability employment gap is a key part of our aim to achieve full employment across the whole of the UK. This is consistent with the Government’s manifesto commitment which said ‘as part of our objective to achieve full employment, we will aim to halve the disability employment gap’.

27th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the effect of benefit sanctions on levels of poverty.

The current employment rate of 73.6% is a record high.

Work is the best route out of poverty, and the system of conditionality that underpins the welfare system is the most effective way to support jobseekers into work.

1st Feb 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure safe staffing levels in the NHS.

Staffing in our health service is a priority for this Government. That's why we have invested in the frontline. There are around 11,800 more full time equivalent hospital and community doctors since May 2010, and 13,300 more full time equivalent nurses than in May 2010. With almost 52,000 doctors and 51,000 nurses in training, we will continue to make sure we have the staff available to give patients high quality care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

16th Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve children's dental health.

The Department of Health is working with NHS England to test a contract focused on improving oral health, particularly in children. Public Health England has produced guidance to support local authorities in improving dental health, and to assist dental teams on preventing dental disease in young children. In last week’s budget we have announced the introduction of a sugar levy in 2018.

14th Jan 2016
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Barnett consequentials are for Scotland of the additional £1.5 billion allocated to the Better Care Fund in the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015.

The Spending Review made social care funds available for local government from April 2017, rising to £1.5 billion by 2019/20. This grant will be paid from the Department for Communities and Local Government to local authorities on condition that they add it to the Better Care Fund, where the money will support integration of health and social care.

The Barnett Formula was applied to DCLG’s Spending Review settlement in the usual way.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
2nd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with social media firms on countering radicalisation.

Extremist and terrorist organisations, notably social media sites, are exploiting the internet to disseminate propaganda and recruit individuals to their groups or to support their aims. Some vulnerable individuals, including young people are being misled by this damaging propaganda.

We are working closely with responsible internet and social media companies to take robust action against terrorist and extremist material and safeguard users. Since 2010 over 140,000 pieces of terrorist-related material have been removed by industry from various online platforms at the request of the dedicated police Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU). Approximately 58,000 removals were made in 2015 alone.

20th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency provision his Department has made for changes in the cost to the UK of Lightning II jets as a result of changes in the number of orders for such aircraft worldwide.

We remain committed to the F-35 programme and, as per the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, we plan to buy 138 Lightning aircraft over the life of the programme. The Department has appropriate contingency in place to ensure that the F-35 programme delivers on time and to the approved cost.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to employ service personnel for specialist roles in the Carrier Strike Group.

As part of Joint Force 2025, the Royal Navy continues to develop and deliver the individual training that will enable personnel to operate and maintain safely all the equipment and systems required to run the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will respond to Sir John Parker's Independent Report to inform the UK National Shipbuilding Strategy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 February 2017 to Question 64890 to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Wayne David).

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots his Department plans to train to operate Lightning II jets in each of the next 10 years.

The F-35 Lightning programme will train sufficient pilots to deliver operational requirements.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate Lightning II jets.

As at 17 March 2017, eight RAF and five Royal Navy pilots have been trained to operate the F35 Lightning aircraft.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recruitment methods and incentives his Department is using to recruit engineers and warfighting specialists to the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy is constantly evolving its recruitment marketing methods, using specific advertising campaigns, web based media, radio, social media, print and appearances at recruitment events.

To address the issue of recruitment to technical specialisations the Royal Navy employs a range of mechanisms to attract and develop such recruits including apprenticeship schemes and staged remunerative awards, as well as an active engagement in a University Technical Colleges affiliation programme aimed at assisting in the development of technically able young people.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

There are currently seven RAF pilots who have been trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as at 20 March 2017.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of savings accrued to the public purse by his Department no longer printing out messages for soldiers while on operation.

The new service for enabling communication between Service personnel on operations and their families and friends is being introduced on 1 April 2017. Printed messages will still be provided to deployed personnel and any savings made will be reinvested into the improvement and development of the welfare services available to deployed personnel, such as increased Wi-Fi capabilities.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots his Department plans to train to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in each of the next 10 years.

I am withholding this information as providing planned numbers would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. However, the P8-A programme will train sufficient pilots to deliver operational requirements.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recruitment methods and incentives his Department is using to recruit engineers and intelligence officers to the RAF.

The RAF is actively promoting careers in the engineering branch through: University Road Shows at universities with courses which focus on Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM); through specifically targeted marketing and media campaigns; and via Station events. The RAF is also offering attractive incentives such as sponsorship of STEM based university students, a 'Golden Hello' for Engineering Officers and the Continued Accelerated Promotion programme. Additionally, the RAF continues to engage with a number of national youth organisations to promote future careers in STEM.

The RAF is not encountering any difficulty in recruiting Intelligence Officers. Therefore, there is no focused recruiting or incentives for the intelligence branch outside of the current recruitment campaign.

15th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when steel will be cut for the first Type 26 Frigate.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2017 to Question 59239 to the right hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Sir Nicholas Soames).

1st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which submarine will undergo Initial Dismantling at Rosyth.

The Ministry of Defence has spent to date a total of circa. £34.4 million on the maintenance and checks carried out by the Department and regulators on the decommissioned submarines that are awaiting disposal.

The approximate figures for Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport and Rosyth Dockyard are circa. £11.9 million and £22.5 million respectively.

The first submarine to undergo initial dismantling under the Submarine Dismantling Programme will be HMS Swiftsure.

1st Nov 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on maintenance and checks for the nuclear-powered submarines in laid-up storage at (a) Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport and (b) Rosyth Dockyard.

The Ministry of Defence has spent to date a total of circa. £34.4 million on the maintenance and checks carried out by the Department and regulators on the decommissioned submarines that are awaiting disposal.

The approximate figures for Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport and Rosyth Dockyard are circa. £11.9 million and £22.5 million respectively.

The first submarine to undergo initial dismantling under the Submarine Dismantling Programme will be HMS Swiftsure.

26th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what definition of moderate his Department uses when referring to Syrian opposition groups.

The moderate Syrian opposition is made up of groups which do not share an extremist ideology, and have affirmed support for a pluralist, inclusive future for Syria and a negotiated political settlement. Such groups will participate actively in political processes and will be represented at UN talks.

26th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what vetting process his Department applies to moderate Syrian opposition groups before they receive training from UK personnel.

On 25 October, the Secretary of State for Defence announced that the UK would renew its participation in the US-led Train and Equip Programme to train selected members of vetted moderate Syrian opposition groups outside Syria as part of the wider counter-Daesh campaign. Before being accepted for training, prospective trainees are then individually vetted and subject to security and medical screening.

21st Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many nuclear-powered submarines are waiting for decommissioning work to be (a) commenced and (b) completed.

There are 12 submarines in laid-up storage in Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport and seven at Rosyth Dockyard. Under the Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) one submarine will commence 'Initial Dismantling' at Rosyth later in 2016, subject to regulatory permissions, to refine the process.

While laid-up, the submarines are subject to regular maintenance and checks by both the Ministry of Defence and regulators, and pose no additional risk to workers or members of the public.

21st Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans his Department has for the decommissioning of nuclear-powered submarines if a suitable geological disposal facility is not identified.

Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) is the only type of waste from submarines that will require the use of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). A facility for the interim storage of ILW has been arranged at Capenhurst in Cheshire until the proposed GDF is available from 2040. In line with Government guidance, the interim ILW store will have a design life of at least 100 years - considerably longer than it is anticipated will be required.

18th Oct 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the government of Russia on Russian military drills in the North Sea in October 2016.

The Department has held no formal discussions with the Government of the Russian Federation with regard to Russian military drills in the North Sea in October. All NATO Allies have a collective responsibility to monitor the path and activity of non-NATO ships and aircraft passing through NATO areas of responsibility. The UK fully upholds its commitments in this regard and will act accordingly. Russia is aware of these arrangements. We expect Russian activity to occur in international waters and airspace, and in accordance with international rules.