Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
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.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
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.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
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).
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The F-35 Lightning programme will train sufficient pilots to deliver operational requirements.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate Lightning II jets.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
As at 17 March 2017, eight RAF and five Royal Navy pilots have been trained to operate the F35 Lightning aircraft.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has been carried out on the resilience of computer systems on-board the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
Testing of the computer systems used on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers has been undertaken both on-board, as well as at a dedicated shore-based mission system integration facility.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently in her test and integration phase to demonstrate the readiness of her on-board systems to begin sea trials this summer.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Mike Penning
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.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Answered by Mike Penning
There are currently seven RAF pilots who have been trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as at 20 March 2017.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
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.
Asked by: Steven Paterson (Scottish National Party - Stirling)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Mike Penning
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.