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Written Question
USA: Nuclear Weapons
Monday 14th November 2022

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision of the government of the United States to stop developing a sea-based nuclear launch capability, and of the impact of this on the UK’s defence policy.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

Nuclear capability decisions remain sovereign decisions and so it would be inappropriate for the UK to comment on specifics. We are content that the US Nuclear Posture Review does not contain any negative impacts for UK deterrence or national security.

We welcome the US's continued commitment to the security of the NATO Alliance, and their actions to ensure that the Alliance's nuclear deterrent mission remains credible.


Written Question
Afghanistan: Refugees
Friday 29th October 2021

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters were evacuated during Operation Pitting.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

From the beginning of the scheme in April 2021 until the final flight of Operation Pitting on 28 August 2021, around 650 Afghans were relocated to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) under category 2 of ARAP.

Around 400 of these were relocated prior to Operation Pitting, as they were identified to be most at risk and were therefore prioritised for relocation. The remaining 250 were relocated during Operation Pitting. This category predominantly consisted of interpreters, but also others in similarly exposed roles such as cultural advisers.


Written Question
Mali: Armed Forces
Tuesday 19th January 2021

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how long they expect members of the British Armed Forces to remain in Mali.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The UK has forces in Mali deployed to the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, and the French-led counter-terror operation, Operation BARKHANE. Beyond these operations, the UK also has a small Defence Section based in Bamako with a resident Defence Attaché (DA).

As outlined in the recent Written Ministerial Statement HCWS622, the UK has committed to a three-year deployment to MINUSMA, with a review to be held at the 18-month point.

The UK commitment to Operation BARKHANE was last extended in June 2020. The Government keeps this deployment under review on a continual basis to ensure it supports operations in the most effective way possible.

The UK's resident DA, based in British Embassy Bamako, is in post for a two-year assignment. DA posts are reviewed on an annual basis.


Written Question
Military Aid: Coronavirus
Thursday 30th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with reservist employers about mobilising (1) the Army Reserve, and (2) the Regular Reserves, in the event of any second wave of COVID-19.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains regular contact with reservist employers (including the Army Reserve) through routine engagement activities. Should there be a requirement to mobilise more reservists for future tasks related to COVID-19, the MOD will engage with employers through the usual, well established channels.

So far, there has been a very positive response from employers to the call-out of reservists as part of the national response to COVID-19. Details of call-out procedures, including the responsibilities of employers and reservists, and the financial compensation packages available, are set out on-line on www.gov.uk.


Written Question
Military Aid: Coronavirus
Thursday 30th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for mobilising (1) the Army Reserve, and (2) the Regular Reserves, in the event of any second wave of COVID-19.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

As part of our normal contingency planning arrangements, the Ministry of Defence is currently scoping its potential input into the response to any potential second wave of COVID-19. A reserve call-out order is already in place for the use of Reserve forces in the response to COVID-19, which could be used to mobilise Army Reserve and Regular Reserves should a second wave occur. Defence seeks to mobilise intelligently, making the most of the expertise available through its Reserve forces, whilst giving them and their employers flexibility.


Written Question
Military Aid: Coronavirus
Thursday 30th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to mobilise (1) the Army Reserve, and (2) the Regular Reserves, to deal with any (a) second wave of COVID-19, and (b) any unrest following the end of the Brexit transition period.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

Reservists undertake a variety of roles within Defence and provide a valuable contribution when called upon. As part of the national response to the Coronavirus pandemic circa 2,300 reservists (circa 1,850 of which were Army reservists) have been mobilised for Covid-19 related activities this year. The authority to mobilise reservists in Covid-19 roles is active until March 2021. This enables reservists mobilised prior to March 2021, under the Covid-19 Reserves Call Out Order to contribute to any Defence response to a potential second wave of Covid-19 if there is a need to do so.

The maintenance of public order is the responsibility of the police. There are no plans to utilise Armed Forces personnel, including reservists, to deal with any unrest following the end of the transition period. Defence remains closely engaged on contingency planning related to the end of the EU Transition Period and remains available to support the civil authorities if necessary.


Written Question
Defence: Coronavirus
Thursday 30th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 related deployments on the fulfilment of their standing defence commitments.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

Throughout the pandemic, the Department has prioritised the delivery of critical Defence outputs, including standing commitments. The Department assesses that there has been no significant impact caused by its support to COVID-19 activity.


Written Question
Military Aid: Coronavirus
Wednesday 29th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether military personnel are still assisting with COVID-19 testing; and if not, why not.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

As of Monday 27 July 2020, there are 96 Military Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) crews operational to assist with Covid-19 testing. This is inclusive of 22 Strategic Reserve crews. The Armed Forces have begun the process of handing over the operation of MTUs to civilian contractors for ongoing testing in line with Military Aid to the Civil Authorities principles regarding commercial solutions.


Written Question
Russia: Navy
Wednesday 29th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security of the Baltic and North Sea following recent reports that the Russian navy will commission 40 new vessels in 2020.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Ministry of Defence monitors the development of all new Russian vessels commissioned and makes assessments based on their operational capability. We continue to assess the impact of Russian naval investments to regional security, including the Baltic and North Seas. Russia continues to be a significant state-based threat to the UK; monitoring and responding to this threat is a core priority for the Ministry of Defence.


Written Question
Russia: Submarines
Monday 27th July 2020

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of recent Russian submarine deployment into the Mediterranean and Baltic seas.

Answered by Baroness Goldie

The Ministry of Defence monitors the deployments of Russian submarines and makes assessments based on their operational capability. A nuclear-powered submarine transited from its Northern Fleet base to St Petersburg where it will take part in Russia's Navy Day on 26th July, as part of a predicted annual commitment. A further Russian submarine transited from its Black Sea base port to Tartus, Syria, as part of their routine presence operations in the eastern Mediterranean. Russia continues to be a significant state-based threat to the UK; monitoring and responding to this threat is a core priority for the Ministry of Defence.