Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Answer of 25 October 2021 to Question 56123 on Ministry of Defence: Buildings, what estimate he has made of when work will begin on removing the flammable cladding from the 27 high rise buildings on the defence estate that currently have combustible cladding on the exterior of the structure; and what the timeframe is for that work to be completed.

MOD has identified 27 high rise buildings (defined as being 6 floors or over) that have an external walling system that contains combustible components.

Investigative works are ongoing and remediation plans established for all buildings. Only one building is fully clad and removal of partial cladding may or may not be appropriate. Remediation plans already being enacted in respect of MHCLG guidance include internal works to improve fire compartmentation.

The first building to complete remediation will be at HMS Nelson and will have replacement cladding, internal compartmentation and new fire doors with work scheduled to finish by March 2022.

When remediation of the remaining buildings will complete is subject to ongoing work.

Defence Fire and Rescue (DFR) have provided advice on how to operate the buildings to enable them to be safe to occupy. DFR, the Defence Fire Safety Regulator (DFSR) and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) have agreed that occupation of the buildings can continue while the appropriate measures are implemented subject to maintaining and adhering to the conditions within the buildings Fire Risk Assessments. Fire Risk Assessments for these buildings are reassessed every year.