Written Evidence Nov. 06 2018
Inquiry: The future of the UK Overseas TerritoriesFound: projects: Redevelopment of our hospital,Development of our new power station,Improvement of both airports
Nov. 15 2018
Source Page: I. Letter dated 15/11/2018 from David Lidington MP to William Cash MP and others regarding 5 documents for deposit in the House Library. 1p. II. Draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community. Incl. annexes. 585p. III. Outline of the political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. 7p. IV. State of play of the negotiations under Article 50 TEU on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. 2p. V. Explainer for the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union. 56p. VI. Technical explanatory note: Articles 6-8 of the Protocol on Northern Ireland. 2p.Found: , British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension
Asked by: Wes Streeting (Labour - Ilford North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate access to and from Ascension Island for (a) civilians and (b) military personnel during the Ascension Island runway resurfacing programme.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with the US Department of Defense, who own and operate the Ascension Island runway, to ensure continued access to the Islands during the runway resurfacing programme. The MOD will ensure during this time that a mechanism is in place for UK Defence personnel to access the island in support of MOD business.
Civilian access is overseen by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ascension Island Government. Access to the island for civilians is currently available through the commercial air link provided by South African Airlink from Cape Town via St Helena.
Asked by: Wes Streeting (Labour - Ilford North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress is being made with repairs to the runway on Ascension Island.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The runway on Ascension Island is owned and operated by the US Department of Defense (DOD) who are responsible for the full resurfacing programme. The programme is due for completion in 2020.
May. 22 2018
Source Page: Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community highlighting the progress made (coloured text version) in the negotiation round with the UK of 16-19 March 2018. 130p.Found: Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension
Mar. 27 2018
Source Page: UK armed forces operational deaths post World War 2: 2018Found: States and other Western Allies flew aircrafts of supplies into Berlin's Tempelhof, Gatow and Tegal airports
Found: An operation run by British Virgin Island and Cayman Island police officers, alongside the British Royal
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for the repair of the runway on Ascension Island; and which Minister of his Department has responsibility for that project.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Secretary of State for Defence is working closely with the US to ensure the Ascension Island runway is repaired. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2020.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
Her Majesty's Government why repairs at Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island cannot be completed for two or three years.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The two mile runway at Wideawake Airfield requires a full-depth resurfacing. The runway is owned and operated by the US Air Force under the Bahamas Agreement. Therefore, they are responsible for the design, management and delivery of the resurfacing project. The design phase is already underway but Ascension's isolated location and the complexity of these repairs mean works are not expected to be completed until 2020.
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the US Department of Defense on the US air force's refusal to repair the airstrip at Ascension Island before its next scheduled refurbishment in 2019.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Department of Defense (DOD) remain committed to ongoing repairs and a full resurfacing of the Ascension Island runway. The Ministry of Defence continues to liaise closely with the DOD and the Department of State regarding their plans for interim repair work and a full surface resurfacing programme.