Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department have been allocated to deal with issues related to international trade in (a) each of the past five years and (b) the next two years; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
As at 14 December 2022, 28 Civil Servants and military officers are directly engaged in work on international trade. Figures for the past five years are not recorded and there are no forecasts for the next two years.
It should be noted that significant numbers of other officials and military personnel across the Ministry of Defence have roles that contribute to international trade, and a large proportion of this work is channelled through the Department for International Trade's Defence and Security Exports team.
Asked by: Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2022 to Question 37532 on Ukraine: Military Aid, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policy on the inclusion of training in the Murad Code within the training provided to Ukrainian defence personnel of the speech by the First Lady of Ukraine to Parliament on 29 November 2022.
Answered by James Heappey
The Ministry of Defence recognises the important role that militaries can play in tackling and responding to Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). At the FCDO Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) international conference on 28 November 2022, the MOD committed to reviewing how the Murad Code could be integrated into the work of UK Defence. There are important factors to consider when providing guidance to militaries with the Murad Code. These need to be sufficiently considered and understood to ensure that the most appropriate actor is collecting and handling evidence and information on CRSV in any given context and that there is no risk of further harm to survivors. Specific training on the Murad Code is not currently being provided to Ukrainian defence personnel. Training provided to Ukrainian defence personnel through Operation INTERFLEX does include sessions on Human Security and the Law of Armed Conflict. Written information on dealing with Human Security issues, such as CRSV, is provided.
Asked by: Justin Madders (Labour - Ellesmere Port and Neston)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) relevant stakeholders on (i) the threat of nuclear war and (ii) possible de-escalation strategies.
Answered by James Heappey
The Government considers the avoidance of war between Nuclear-Weapon States and the reduction of strategic risks as our foremost responsibilities.
The Secretary of State regularly holds discussions with the Cabinet colleagues and relevant stakeholders on a range of national security and defence issues. For security reasons, I cannot publicise the detail of these discussions.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions his Department has had with its defence counterparts in the US on cyber defence capabilities.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has a close and enduring security relationship with the US, and this applies as much to cyberspace as elsewhere. Defence personnel and Ministers routinely engage with US counterparts - at all levels - on issues relating to cyber defence, through bilateral and multilateral forums. UK Strategic Command recently worked with US Cyber Command and other partners on a joint operation to improve interoperability and strengthen cyber resilience.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy applications have been approved by the Ministry of Defence but are still waiting for (a) Home Office approval and (b) issuance of visas by UKVI.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Government departments continue to work collaboratively in order to make casework decisions and ensure visas are issued as soon as is practicable, following appropriate checks including security. There are a number of complex issues that can impact how swiftly individuals can relocate to the UK, and as such, individual timeframes for decisions can differ considerably.
More information on the number of grants of Indefinite Leave to Remain issued to Afghans resettling under the ARAP or ACRS can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with NATO officials on the UK’s application to join the Military Mobility Permanent Structured Cooperation project.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Government regularly discusses defence and security issues with our NATO Allies and European partners. We have discussed the UK's application to join the Military Mobility project with EU Member States including the Netherlands as project lead, Germany and France; the European External Action Service; and the US, Canada and Norway as existing third country participants. We have also kept NATO informed throughout the application process as the Military Mobility Project is key to to the alliance's ability to move forces quickly and at scale across continental Europe.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) European and (B) US counterparts on the UK’s application to join the Military Mobility Permanent Structured Cooperation project.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Government regularly discusses defence and security issues with our NATO Allies and European partners. We have discussed the UK's application to join the Military Mobility project with EU Member States including the Netherlands as project lead, Germany and France; the European External Action Service; and the US, Canada and Norway as existing third country participants. We have also kept NATO informed throughout the application process as the Military Mobility Project is key to to the alliance's ability to move forces quickly and at scale across continental Europe.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with EU officials on the UK’s application to join the Military Mobility Permanent Structured Cooperation project.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Government regularly discusses defence and security issues with our NATO Allies and European partners. We have discussed the UK's application to join the Military Mobility project with EU Member States including the Netherlands as project lead, Germany and France; the European External Action Service; and the US, Canada and Norway as existing third country participants. We have also kept NATO informed throughout the application process as the Military Mobility Project is key to to the alliance's ability to move forces quickly and at scale across continental Europe.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the EU Ambassador to the UK on the UK’s application to join the Military Mobility Permanent Structured Cooperation project.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK Government regularly discusses defence and security issues with our NATO Allies and European partners. We have discussed the UK's application to join the Military Mobility project with EU Member States including the Netherlands as project lead, Germany and France; the European External Action Service; and the US, Canada and Norway as existing third country participants. We have also kept NATO informed throughout the application process as the Military Mobility Project is key to to the alliance's ability to move forces quickly and at scale across continental Europe.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Islwyn)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) other Cabinet colleagues, and (b) the UK space industry on ensuring world-leading space capabilities continue to be (i) developed in, (ii) manufactured in, and (iii) exported from the UK.
Answered by Alec Shelbrooke
I will engage with industry on issues relating to the Defence and Security sector through forums such as the Defence Supplier Forum and with Cabinet colleagues, as required.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy are working on a Space Sector Policy aimed at encouraging growth and enhancing resilience across the sector, while driving export opportunities and supporting levelling up. This work forms part of the implementation of the 2021 National Space Strategy. Officials are engaging closely with the sector as we deliver this work.
The Defence elements of this work will build on the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy and identify critical space capabilities that the UK must have the capacity to develop within the UK.