Live Defence Questions House of Commons

questions. The first question is on support for soldiers making legal

claims following injuries from the Iraq war.

Orderquestions to the Secretary of State for Defense. Mr Speaker, this

government believes we can and will succeed in reforming and

renegotiating our relationship with the European Union. The cornerstone

of our security however is Nato, while the EU plays a significant

role in,, lamenting them. Defense remains a sovereign issue. When the

Prime Minister told us he was in no doubt that the European question is

not only a matter of economic security butt of national security,

was he right or wrong was ... Use right that it does play a

part. Would my honourable friend like to remind the honourable member

how many times in its tenure inception DEQ battle troops have

been deployed? The EU Battle groups have not yet been deployed. That you

does have five significant missions at the moment where it is

complementing in areas where Nato does not become involved. With a

minister like to comment on the impact of the Anglo-French military

relationship? He will be aware that there are many programmes, joint

programmes that are underway. That is likely to be affected if the EU

was to pull out... I see no reason why they should be. The Minister

would have seen in the press another veteran who is struggling to access

the care that she deserves and on top of the report last week would he

agree with me that now is the time after putting so much into the

government, to take radical reform on this and address the care

required in the veteran sector. I sure my honourable friend's concern

in this area and he may wish to put a question on this to my honourable

friend the excellent honourable and gallant friend, the excellent

minister for veterans shortly. We can do that now? How shortly remains

to be seen. Not in the honourable gentleman smiled nor in mind. If

there's a possible that exit, what is the impact that will have on

armed services personnel currently in operations with the EU... As far

as I can see, none. Good. Splendid. The Minister is quite liked to

remind the House that at the cornerstone of our national security

is our membership of Nato. Hear! Does the Minister agree with me that

if the British people vote took leave the European Union there is

absolutely nothing to stop this country working with our European

neighbors and cooperating if they choose to do so. My honourable

friend is quite right. We all agree, in fact, both sides used agree that

the cornerstone of our defense is a nuclear armed Nato. Of course, my

honourable friend is right in saying that under any scenario we will be

continuing to cooperate with the other members of the EU, majority of

whom belong to Nato anyway. I am glad to hear the Minister gave his

support. On that note, will be explained as a single way in which

less cooperation with our partners is going to increase our national

security? Nobody is suggesting less cooperation on defense matters with

our European partners or anyone else. Very well with him saying

that, but the fighting project, is one example of how working together

with our European partners only creates thousands of jobs, boost

exports and secures crucial sovereign capabilities. Can the

Secretary of State who is... Can the Minister was supposed to be part of

the group wanting to boost the industry, give us an example of a

single UK manufacturer that boost the UK leaving the European Union at

this moment? The typhoon that he gives as an example of collaboration

was a collaboration between Nato countries. I am not sure I fully

followed the remains of his question. It was something about the

things many structures, let's be clear Nato unlike the EU is the

central plank of our defense policy. Number two Mr Speaker. Our military

training in Ukraine will continue and we have plans to increase our

footprint. Today we plan to get a further three and a half thousand --

three 500, give response to a specific request from the Ukraine

and will be delivered in the spring. When the Ukraine gained independence

in one to keep the option of getting nuclear weapons... It has been its

overworked. Following the Nato summit in Wales, British troops have

been deployed in a training war in the Ukraine. Can a minister update

as to the success that has been hacked in improving the training of

the Ukraine and Armed Forces to make sure they have a fair fight against

Russian backed aggression? I think the honourable gentleman he is right

to point out how our committal to that helps our influence. As I can

reassure him that we are on target to reach training, and 2000

Ukrainian troops by the end of this financial year. I'm sure the first

aid kits are very welcome in the Ukraine, but if we're going to be

serious about supporting them who was under such pressure from this

regime of President Putin in Russia. Surely he will be doing much more

visible and helpful work for the Ukraine. Some of that will be

tightening the sanctions on Russia, that is what they don't like and

that is what has been successful. Tightening the sanctions, week by

week not by month. The honourable gentleman will be aware that that is

what we are doing. We have argued for sanctions to our work with Nato.

We are doing much more than supplying first aid kits, we are

doing a huge amount capacity building in those Armed Forces. We

have given them a huge amount of equipment, particularly to protect

them from the cold weather in which they are operating in. I know

they're very grateful for that. We stand ready to assist them further

and I'll be visiting the country shortly. Ukraine has been on the

front line of the expansionist agenda of Putin, but they are not

alone in Eastern Europe. In a minister say what assistance the

Nato and European Union, the United Kingdom is given to a number of

countries particularly the Baltic states to try and combat some of

that expansionism from Russia. We do a huge amount of work with Baltic

air policing, for example. The huge amount of operational and practical

work. But also through diplomatic channels as well. We have been very

active through Nato and the EU in holding Russia's the fire on these

issues. And progress has been made, we know that recent progress with

fewer violations of the cease-fire and we will continue to do both of

those things, practically edible magically. -- feet to the fire on

these issues. -- and it diplomatically. I hope you'll allow

me to formally welcome the new shadow secretary and you'll allow me

to formally welcome the new shadow secretary and her team and regret

the removal of their mainstream moderate predecessor. Hear! In

recently, forces have recaptured Sinjar and the Iraqi warming are

clearing the last pockets of Daesh resistance and Ramadi. Interior

Daesh forces... Air strikes including those by the United

Kingdom also inflict it significant damage on Daesh's A-lister oil

industry reducing its revenues by around 10%. -- elicit. I welcome the

Secretary of State has to say. Kenny what he considers the measures

necessary to put in place to ensure that all members of the Coalition

intensified their efforts against Daesh? I'll be meeting with my

counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands

and the United States to review the overall direction of the counter

Daesh campaign. We have made some good headway in both Iraq and Syria

in recent weeks. Now is the time to discuss how to maximize the

Coalition efforts and how to exploit the opportunities that now arrives

from the setbacks that Daesh has suffered. A major contributor to

Daesh activities and capabilities on the ground is the foreign funding

that it receives him with a minister outlined what measures the UK is

taking to curb the foreign funding for Islamist groups in particular

what pressure is he putting on Saudi Arabia and Qatar. I'm grateful to

the honourable member and this is one of the keys to Daesh survival.

It is important we maximize our efforts to cut off its sources of

revenue rather they are internal to, its access to oil revenues and the

taxes it imposes inside Syria, or indeed external affairs that she has

described. That is something we'll be discussing in a wider meeting

with all members the Coalition including the countries that she has

mentioned. In a wider meeting later on. The Secretary of State will be

aware that there have been suggestions that is part of the

constraining Daesh is to use back work of diplomacy does he agree with

beats that cameo Andrew White of Baghdad when he said in an interview

on Saturday" you cannot negotiate with them, I have never said that

about another group of people. they are so different, extreme and

radical. " This is not put into context everything? I was surprised

at the suggestion that one could negotiate with Daesh... The strong

points of the House will recall our having its opponents, burning resin

is alive throwing gays off of buildings, enslaving young women,

murdering innocent British tourist in Tunisia. And slaughtering young

people out on a night in Paris. I felt it to see any particular

attraction... I do not think that Daesh has any strong points for the

sector is a benefit. The Prime Minister central argument, there

were 17,000 freedom fighters ready to take on the ground in Syria, on

Tuesday the Prime Minister still cannot defend that figure. The

Secretary of State do that today? I can. That is not my figure of the

time minister's figure, it is an assessment produced by the joint

Intel intelligence. I was a gently that it does not think there are so

many freedom fighters in the city how does he think... How does he

think that that's a war has lasted for five years, there are people

love been fighting the Asad regime? With my right honourable friend

agree with me that a significant is taught by grand forces is the only

way to deal with Daesh in the longer term? Yes, and the end Daesh will be

priced out of cities like puzzle in Iraq or Raqqa in Syria by local

forces. -- Mosul. We have seen some success, like Ramadi. I hope

eventually other cities along the Tigris and Euphrates, and I hope in

the soonest the time we will see the similar action in Raqqa. That does

not mean we should not be getting one now with the full deployment of

air strikes to do with the infrastructure that supports them.

May I welcome the honourable lady, I wish her well, there are important

areas of defense we are in agreement on. Can ask the Secretary of State

is he agree with the Prime Minister, who totally Liaison Committee last

week that if people make allegations, we must look at them.

Let me say to the horrible member, that we do an assessment after every

rich air strike of the damage that has been caused, we check carefully

whether it is likely to have been casualties. That is taking into

account planning and proving the strike in the first place. --

honourable friend. It's a happened that in the first year of operations

we are not aware of any civilian casualties so far in our strikes in

Iraq or indeed the more recent in Syria. These are military

operations, we do everything possible to reduce the risk of

civilian casualties, it is not possible to eliminate it entirely.

Can he confirm therefore that the Minister of defense will now accept

evidence of civilian deaths from other sources? Cameo sure the House

that the evidence from highly credible organizations such as the

Syrian Observatory for human rights, groups working on the ground, and

are very often the first people on the scene will be considered when

calculating civilian deaths in the future? Let me assure the honourable

member that we will look at any evidence forward and open source

reporting by other organizations in the assessments we make of each of

the strikes. I have replied directly to one of the organizations he

mentioned, pointing out replying to them and pointing out to them that

no particular evidence to back up the assessment they have made in

that particular case. Could my right horrible friend possibly give the

House and update on the military and nonmilitary support that has now

been provided opposition fighters in Syria? -- honourable. We have been

supplying, along with other countries, equipment to those

fighters. We play a part in the initial training programme that was

organized by the United States. We are ready to do so as well. In

addition to that, we are working with these groups on the political,

the route to a political... In the talks that have now gotten underway

under the so-called Vienna process. I like to begin by thanking the

honourable gentleman for his generous welcome to this job. And

the honourable member... The honourable gentleman has the honour

of having perhaps the best job in Westminster, minus the second best.

Hopefully we can change soon. LAUGHTER

He can be assured that there are be difficult questions asked and will

be hoping to work with the government where we can do the sake

of security of the people in Britain. They have repeatedly warned

that the RAF has been at full stretch and I was even before the

air strikes on Daesh began in Syria. A squadron of F 35 sessions but

ordered. In the meantime the air campaign against Daesh will be

dependent on 40-year-old aircraft. Can the Minister tell us how he

believes the air campaign can safely be maintained and what would happen

if an was to merge? With the RAF have capacity for any further

operations, further than those with the government will allow them to

operate under? I think her for her initial remarks in no time ambition

to move from that side of the House to the side of the House presumably

shared by the two previous shadow Defense secretaries that have so far

I have come across. Let me say to her gently that a defense policy of

nuclear submarines with no nuclear weapons being said Daesh have strong

points and wants to and the Falkland Island... May be laborers defense

policy, but it will never be printed's defense policy. In respect

to her particular question the RAF are deploying a range of aircraft on

operations in the Middle East, including modern typhoons, unmanned

aircraft alongside the tornado that she refers to. And I can confirm

that the RAF are well able to sustain this effort. Question five

Mr Speaker. The nuclear deterrent is a part of the Defense security

policy, maintaining continuous requires for ballistic nuclear

submarines. The nuclear enterprise is gearing up to deliver the success

of replacement to that submarine. Is it not only keep print save but also

support over 30,000 jobs across the UK in England and in Scotland. Wells

in Northern Ireland, they make a significant contribution to the UK

economy. 30,000 jobs, I pick my honourable friend for his answer.

Notwithstanding proposals for a nuclear missile boat or summary

without nuclear missiles, does he know that there are something like

17,000 nuclear warheads around the world, possibly threatening... What

is my honourable friend's assessment of the likely risk to national

security should the missile submarines not perceive. -- proceed.

He is quite right to highlight the deterrent to our national security.

I think he was referring to comments over the last 20 for hours, we have

seen a most extraordinary contortion of merging from the... The idea that

spending tens of billions of pounds to build, but not Army strategic

deterrent to trace the new kind of politics from the Labour leadership.

A breathtaking lack of understanding of how to keep this country safe and

the consequent effects of the national security and to of jobs

across the UK. With the Minister agree that it is not just about the

number of jobs involved in this programme, but the high school

nature of those jobs, despite comments from my own party over the

weekend with regard to the shops. Would you agree with me that you

cannot simply turn it on and off to relieve them? I would like to add my

tribute to the stoic work the honourable member has done in this

position both on these binges when he was a defense minister and on

those binges when he was a shadow, -- binges. Sorry to see him sitting

in the back now, he is white right to point out that this is a

long-term endeavor to design and build a nuclear enabled submarine,

it takes decades. This is a 35 year project I'm initial conception to

commissioning. Does goes only always a good long time to develop, they

cannot be switched on and off and they are at the forefront of

engineering capabilities in this country. Building a nuclear

submarine is more difficult than sending a man to the moon. In light

of these astonishing updates from the leader of opposition having in

summary without actually having... Does my right honourable friend

agree with me that in the uncertain world it is crucial that the health

census, nuclear deterrent is continued. I'm grateful for the

consideration he put. The House appeared to secure the safety of the

United Kingdom as a whole. We must... We very much hope that as

many colleagues from across the House when it comes to a vote will

be able to recognize a consensus on this issue. The placement of the

nuclear deterrent is of course a sovereign decision of the United

Kingdom. However, it has made impressions across Nato, should we

decide not to proceed. With the Minister tell us what he... Should

we decide not to go through? Are deterrent is a Nato asset, so the

Nato alliance depends, in part, on our ability to make that asset

available should the need arise. It is an intense interest in the

deliberations in this house being taken by our Nato allies and I think

she's quite right to highlight that. With the Minister agree with me that

all Nato countries are part of the Nato nuclear alliance based on the

three members who are in possession of weapons and not to spend all the

money to have a nuclear deterrent but do not actually have one at the

end of it would be the worst option of all? I have already indicated I

think it is completely farcical to spend tens of millions of pounds on

a weapon that could never be used and therefore could never fulfil the

deterrent object that it has. I completely agree. In what

circumstances that he intend to use nuclear deterrent? I think this gets

to the heart of the confusion that lies at the centre of the Scottish

nationalist policy. The deterrent has been in use every single day for

the last 53 years. Approximately 1700 soldiers were

mobilised to support the flood response in Lancashire, Cumbria and

Yorkshire. Additional support was provided by an RAF helicopter, Royal

Navy search and rescue helicopter and these were temporary

accommodation of the Victoria barracks and violent. As with a

child service response and included both regular and reserve or this and

I am sure the whole house would want to join me in danger be to be

tremendous effort our armed forces made and they they support eight

divided especially over Christmas. I associate myself with my horrible

friend's comment about giving support to armed forces who provided

a fantastic response to the Boxing Day blood in Lancashire. Would she

just say further was that that been taking to ensure that the Armed

Forces are held at a heightened state of readiness in case we see a

return of the flood later on this winter? I think they horrible

gentleman for his kind words about our Armed Forces. Looking forward to

the opportunity to also think the public for the very great efforts

they made to express their gratitude largely in calorific form I

understand to all of our Armed Forces and I can assure him that we

are engage with other government retirement and our network of

regional liaison teams will buckle authorities which is a permanent

thing that we do. BUK stand-by battalions remained at high

readiness and if necessary we are able to provide further support very

quickly if the need arises. I witnessed for myself the crucial

role that the service is played during the floods over the Christmas

period. Without their intervention, the situation would have been far

more serious. The British Army and the rest of the forces get again at

its best. Despite being overstretched. In light that the

Army has been cut by 20,000 personnel in the last five years,

there is a template the percent shortfall in the number of

reservists and the civilian staff will be cut by 30% before the next

election. Can the government explain how it can ensure that it is able to

provide a comprehensive response to future national emergencies that

alone international crises? I must correct the honourable Lady is not

only did we not have a shortfall in reservists but we actually are ahead

of target as well in recruiting reservists. I think close to 9000

individuals have stepped forward just in the last year alone. We have

a very strong pipeline in recruiting, but the reason why we

can't give assurances to the British public opinion down the country when

such terrible events happen if because we have taken a decision to

invest in defence and our kids and in our people and to keep our armed

forces strong. That is how we can reassure people and as we have seen

over the Christmas period, we were able to generate enormous numbers of

people when the need arises in short order. I did a terrific job and I

think that any digestion otherwise is not looking at the facts. I start

by thanking you Mr Speaker, the students of a school that attended

the session you ran last week at the school in my constituency the

feedback has been universally very positive and we are very grateful to

you. Can I ask the Minister to pass on my sincere thanks and those of my

constituents to the armed forces for their magnificent support for my

constituents to in the recent flooding. They came over Christmas

at very short notice to help out on a whole range of task, where a

lifeline to many of constituents and we would all like to place on record

hours that sincere thanks or everything they did at that time. I

think the honourable gentleman for his kind words. They will have been

heard by those that went to his constituency, but I will also pass

them on. With permission, Mr Speaker, I will take much and seven

and eight together. SDF are made defence engagement in funding call

MOD task. We're building our capacity to adjust mobile security

concerns at the sort through and throwing thing partner countries.

This is inflicting harder countries. Developing a personal defendant

engagement career stream to a child to be very best. Furthermore, each

Army at that gate is now aligned to a specific region for training and

influence purposes. Would the minister just make a comment about

increasing our security in the region in relation to south tower

and in the context can I give my apologies on behalf of our

honourable friend the chair of the defence select committee. He is not

able to be here this afternoon because he is attending the memorial

service of Lieutenant Commander David Barton who was a hero who went

on you 110 during the war and got the code book and machine out. They

were set up electorally... the code book and machine out. They

were set up Is a hero and probably sorted the war. I hope the Minister

can pay JB to him. -- can pay tribute to him. On the Baltics we

are very conscious of the importance of the Baltics. Most of the

ministers in this theme including the secretary of state and myself

have been to visit them and have been well aware of the Ebersole that

we have carried out there in our programme of exercises. On the tenet

Commander, Churchill once Wesley said that the only campaign that

kept him continuously awake at night was the convoy campaign in the

Western Atlantic. Without that we would have almost certainly lost it.

As chair of the British Council all party group I am very much aware of

the importance of soft power, what my honourable friend agree that it

is only through an investment, continuing investment in both hard

and soft power that we can continue to play a leading role in protecting

the world order on which our security and prosperity very much

depend? My honourable friend is quite right and we are sending

training emissions now, doing bridal upstream work in a large number of

countries. These are helping to deliver the environment that is

needed to prevent the prospect of future wars and conflicts. What role

does the Minister think that human rights advisors have in developing

our influence? Human rights advisors to play a role. We have specifically

within the Armed Forces now a number who specialise in advised on gender

matters, protecting women in conflict for example. One or two of

them have put themselves very much in harms way going to advise and

dangerous behaviours. Since taking office in 2010, the prime minister

has overseen over ?5.6 billion of military licenses to Saudi Arabia.

Can I ask the minister if that would be him exercising soft power or hard

power? We have one of the strictest regimes in the world for controlling

exports. I would say that exporting to HTML I at a dangerous time in the

Middle East was smart power. -- exporting to an important ally. Mr

Speaker our programme to grow the reserve forces remained on track and

has reversed many years of decline. Central to this is an improved offer

including better training, better equipment reiteration and an

improved experience for reservists. 8640 people joined the volunteer

reserves in the 12 months to the 1st of December. 846% rise on the

equivalent period a year ago. Trained strength rose to 26,560 well

I had a target -- warty 6%. -- 46%. Shockingly poor recruitment figures

have only started to improve since the government raised age limit

allowing some recruits to join the reserves until their mid-50s. The

major project authorities judge the plant unachievable. Does the

government now accept that the Army has been that too far and too fast.

I do not accept that Mr Speaker. The major project authority report

Stewart stew is more than a year old. The figures you quoted at the

target, 35,000 trained is by April 2000 19. We are moving fast in that

direction. Mr Speaker, given that the self build and custom house

building act is now on the statute but, does my honourable friend

consider one way to recruit additional reserves and indeed other

members of the armed wars that is to create a help to build so that

service families find it easier to get a piece of land and build a

house? I will pass my honourable and's ingenious idea Mr Speigel is

bigger to colleagues and we will look at it or him -- Mr Speaker. As

the government is built short of its target document is to acknowledge

the concerns raised by his honourable friend the member for

about ten and Billy Ricky who has brought that these cuts are leading

to ability gaps in our Armed Forces? Mr Speaker, we had to take some

painful decisions when we took over in 2010 as part of the coalition

government to cut the country was bending or pounds for every ?3

coming in. -- ?4 for every ?3. After the reshaping we have moved to a

position where despite there still being some type resistant to take,

this country have committed to spending 2% on defence and to a

large expansion of its equipment programme. My honourable friend will

recall his visit in June of last year to a newly established reserved

union after a company... Is he as pleased as I am to note that their

units are already beyond exception strength in the past six months on a

12 new reservists have started. Doesn't this third the -- show the

offer to reserve it is attractive with white it does. It was a huge

privilege to be there. For the re-and operation of reserve power

troopers in rugby and to have the opportunity to meet a veteran. What

have the changes had on the reserves and for the regular forces? The

largest changes in pay have actually been to reservists where we have

introduced holiday pay for the first time. We have introduced a penchant

for the first time. It was only available to those who mobilised

before. I think the minister for the

recruiting battle we are allowed to do in Northern Island and that we

have just under 7% of the reserve forces from Northern Ireland against

3% of the population. Maybe the Minister could look at recruiting

more in Northern Ireland and we could carry on the backbone of the

armed services. Northern Ireland has always been a really excellent

recruiting ground for both regulars and reservists. I am conscious

author of the fact that beyond the statistics the honourable member

mentioned a higher proportion of people from Northern Ireland have

been obliged than any other part of the UK. Gas have been mobilised. My

department regularly receives representations covering a wide

range of views on defence matters including the replacement of the

independent nuclear deterrent. Mr Speaker North Korea recently

announced that it tested a hydrogen bomb and only yesterday boasted that

it had the capacity to obliterate the United aides. To what extent

does my right honourable friend think that North Korea would be

deterred in its nuclear ambition by the knowledge that somewhere below

the surface of the East Dynasty and unarmed submarines was lurking?

LAUGHTER Let me first of all strongly

condemned the nuclear test conducted by North Korea which seriously

threatens regional and international security. This government, let me

assure my right honourable friend, will not gamble with the long-term

security of our citizens. We remain committed to maintaining an

independent nuclear deterrent. The only thing that a nuclear submarines

without nuclear weapons is likely to deter is anybody who cares about our

security from ever voting labour again. If the UK were to go down the

route of decommissioning its warheads and then in the so-called

Japanese style and then were to decide that it needed to recommence

in them at some future point, is that the government assessment that

it could do so and remain compatible with the nonproliferation treatment?

Let me make it clear that Japan does not have nuclear powered submarines

and Japan does not have nuclear weapons. Talk of some Japanese

option is entirely farcical. So far as the honourable gentleman's

questions concern we have no intention of decommissioning.

Question 11 Mr Speaker. We are fully committed to supporting Nigeria and

its efforts to defeat Boca around. During his visit and number the

Secretary of State committed to a major increase in UK support to the

Nigerian Armed Forces with the intent of war than doubling the

number of British personnel deployed on training passed in the coming

year. I am very grateful for the minister's response because your DJ

ties between the United kingdom and Nigeria are important to our

country. Can the Minister provide more detailed about what the

deployment of UK troops see anticipates the country making over

the next 12 months? We expect us to 300 military personnel to be

providing assistance over the forthcoming year. They angry around

30 RAF personnel who have been deployed this month to deliver worse

protection and training to the Air Force and more than 35 personnel

from the second Battalion, the Royal Anglican Regiment to bullying later

this month to train Nigerian personnel that lead to combat global

around. Boca around have operated not only Nigeria but across borders

in the region. We have also seen -- and Al-Qaeda affiliated. Giving your

thick even in Burkina Faso over the weekend can see explain what the

board is given to that country from the UK armed Forces but what that

are being given up across the region into court against Islamic violence.

There is a huge effort going on not just from the UK but also with our

partners. The range of things that we are doing as well as ongoing

bilateral relationships to build the opacity of their own armed forces we

provide a huge amount of training. Particularly on the issue of women

please insecurity. And also tactical support as well. We keep all our

time to review but a huge amount of work has been done. MOD housing

supports serving members of the Armed Forces and their families.

While a margin of unoccupied properties is returned retired gas

retained,... We have allocated ?40 million from libel finds to support

projects of running better and accommodation including ?8.5 million

to Mike Jackson house. I think the minister for that response. We have

a number of MOD properties currently standing vacant. Will my honourable

friend agree with me to meet and discuss some of these properties and

how they could potentially be used for temporary accommodation for

military veterans? We do have approximately 10% of our service

family accommodation unoccupied but we keep it at that level to ensure

that we can cater for triple postings and people returning from

overseas. I am not convinced that the use of service accommodation is

a sustainable way of supporting veterans however there are a number

of excellent projects around the country and I would be delighted to

meet my honourable friend to discuss how we can pursue them in cold

tester. -- cold tester. To the minister advised the house on the

government support status for homeless veterans who have mental

health double, what more can be done? We continue to provide support

for veterans in particular any mental health area. We have invested

a lot of money in recent years but we do except that the job is not

done. There has been a rise of mental health problems both in

society and in the armed forces and it is something that we keep under

constant review and are determined to tackle. Thank you Mr Speaker. Of

course it will be difficult to respond to the question, it is

supporting veterans given that 30% of the MOD estate has been sold off.

Also concerning is the invention of laying off 30% of civilian work

force including significant job losses in defence equipment and

support. At the same time, spending on outside expertise has rocketed to

some 30% of the DNS budget. Does the Minister accept further lay-offs

will not only drive up consultancy cost but also further exacerbate

these skills shortage which the public accounts committee identified

as a key reason for the increase is in the cost of military equipment

overall? I do not accept that and I make absolutely no apologies as a

result of our SBS are to continue to optimise our defence output. -- SBS

are. -- SDSR. I had a successful bilateral meeting last Friday of

which the ever 35 programme came up. Aircraft in line with estimates,

operation capability of the bending and we reliability is improving as

more aircraft come on stream and into the programme and logistic

support increases. The aircraft remained on petrol to meet our

initial operating capability in December 20 18. Will he reassure the

house that he will not ring -- bring the current fleet of tornado

aircraft out of service until the F35 has proven it operation

reliability after several years of active service? The outstanding air

to ground capability of our tornado watch her and has been that all he

migrated onto the typhoon platform. Initially, in SDSR November we

figured considerable investment in the RAF combat jet fleet including

extending our tornado squadrons out of service date to 2018-19,

increasing our type in fleet by two swatches and extending the typhoon

out of service date to 2040. In addition we reaffirmed our

commitment to acquiring a total 148F35s to rely for the programme

and buying more aircraft earlier so we have... My priorities are our

operations against bias which I'll be reviewing that my counterparts

later this week. And implementation of the security defence review

decisions to increase the size and power of our armed forces to keep

Britain's eight. -- keep Britain's faith. -- Dave.

Can ask my right honourable friend what impact these are DJ defence and

security review will have on the future size and power of our armed

Forces. You may recall I serve as patron to the military preparation

college which has bathed in my constituency of Eastbourne and

served a keen interest in the next generation of servicemen and women.

I do recall that and indeed my visit to her constituency surely before

her election to the way. I map the commitment to increase the defence

budget every year is our armed for this certainty and stability. We are

maintaining besides of the Army, increasing the size of the Royal

Navy, the Royal Air Force and the reserves. We will have more ships,

warplanes, more helicopters, more troops at readiness and better

equipped special forces to protect our people, to project our influence

across the world and to promote our prosperity. In the last two days,

reports of the difficulties faced by veterans suffering from Gulf War

syndrome have reminded of how important it is that we recognise

the extra Erick devices made by our men and women in uniform. We must

not only ensure that our service people are properly or reported but

also looked after properly when they finished serving. Can the Minister

tell the outlets are the message you think it sends that the government

has chosen to freeze war pension at a time when the basic state pension

is to be protected by a triple log and is set to rise by 2.9%? I think

the government have actually got a good record when it comes to

supporting veterans. We have seen in recent years unlike the previous

government major investment when it comes to mental health, veterans

accommodation and when it comes to veterans... We have the multi

million pounds invested when it comes to investing in our veterans.

Something not done under the previous government. I am sure the

Minister will know that this year we are proud to Mike the centenary of

the event the boards or in my constituency. But I invite the

Minister to commend the work of Jonathan Weil and his demands

regulate on the challenges they may face in next hundred years? I am

able to my honourable friend for reminding the house that we do this

year celebrates 100 years of the outstanding research effort which

was established in response to the threat from chemical weapons during

the First World War. Last week I reported at the house that we

decided to make the STL and executive agency. I'm looking

forward to visiting next month and I hope you'll be able to join me to

think those who do such a fantastic job there. Defence missiles

currently being chopped in Syria are estimated to cost in the region of

?150,000 each. With such a massive financial commitment to the Minister

as her the house that the cost of this campaign are being monitored

and that a similar financial contribution will be made towards

rebuilding Syria? The honourable Lady is right to identify that

assistant munitions are costly. But I can reassure her that we are

keeping a very both watch on stockpiles and ensuring that we have

sufficient missiles in stock to meet our requirements. As the prime

minister has said in his house during the debate over Syria is

absolutely this government's intend to press for a rebuilding programme

for Syria when this terrible double war comes to an end. -- terrible

Civil War. The rules surrounding transportation of rifles and

ammunition to make it all but impossible for schools and the debt

union to participate in particularly target rifle shooting. Will my right

honourable friend meet with me and representatives of the National

Rifle Association to discuss how we can get around these that will rule

and impractical and safe plan out? I would be delighted to meet with my

mobile friend and the National Rifle Association. I should say they'll

that while it is clearly a very skilled business, handling

youngsters on a rifle range, we cannot find any evidence through any

of these for service organizations that there is a particularly acute

shortage although there are some individual cases that have been

brought to my attention but I would be delighted to have been meeting he

the just. -- he's the commando Joe's work across goals

across the country placing veterans and costumes to share skills and

experiences with young people despite robust evidence of the

success of their work their government funding is due to end in

March of this year placing the organisation in jeopardy. Will you

make representations on it and look at what can be done to allow this

hugely important work to continue? I would be delighted to meet with the

honourable gentleman to discuss this matter and the if we can pursue it.

Does my right honourable friend agree that any moves to weaken our

commitment to an independent nuclear deterrent or our leading role in

Nato will make us less safe? Absolutely. Our independent nuclear

deterrent is the ultimate ear and Nato's security and necessary

insurance in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain world. Our

can conventional nuclear capabilities underwritten by our

commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence support our leading role in

Nato which remained at the heart of our. This government will not put

our security at risk. The armed forces are facing here is SNL

shortages in some of the most crucial nationalist trade including

nuclear engineers and white technicians. Given that a great deal

of the expertise is in MOD civilian workforce, which the government is

planning to cut by 30%, can the and how the government plans to ensure

that operational capabilities are protected when the pets go ahead?

For particular point in trade there are particular programmes that are

ongoing to ensure that we retained people but we also recruit. Those

training people are offering apprenticeships but also allowing

people to move in from the private sector. Those principles are well

established, we are going to also be introducing into our worth is more

flexible working patterns to allow more of that to happen and allow

people to move from regular to reserve forces into civilian

contacts and then back into the Armed Forces. This is very much the

direction of travel and for each trade there is a particular plan

which is going very well. In fact I think this month we have started

recruiting apprenticeships into nuclear engineering 35 have started

this month alone. Could be secretary of state explain was that the MOD is

taking to release their blessed land for housing and could he also

explained what progress the MOD has made in selling or renting the

control centre in water beach? As part of the government prosperity of

gendered the MOD is omitted to really demand for 55,000 housing

units in this Parliament. I am delighted to announce the first

block size which will contribute some ?500 million of land received

will be reinvested into defence and more than -- provide more than

15,000 potential housing units. I will place a full list of sites in

the library of the house and I had written to be an view concerned.

I've had to be in a position before the end of the year to provide

further details including a full list of sites effective. With regard

to my honourable friend own constituency I confirm that the

whole of that site has now been transferred to our civilian delivery

partner. Does the Secretary of State have any

more concerns about the arms in Saudi Arabia giving its rates and

the fact that it has been documented by Amnesty International by others

that is a clear risk of UK arms being used to read... The United

Kingdom has some of the strictest arms export criteria in the world.

We are obviously concerned that were any of our arms are exported to

their use should be in full compliance with international

humanitarian law and that is something I discussed regularly with

my counterpart the deputy crown prince, the defense minister of

Saudi Arabia and my other colleagues. My right honourable

friend inform what support they are offering veterans making claims for

what happened during the Iraq war? Let me make it clear to My Noble

friend that we take it seriously our duty to provide support for the

balloon may be facing proceedings arising from the past service would

pay for independent legal advice in all such cases. I am extrema

concerned that the number of claims now being brought on an industrial

scale and we are considering steps to stem the outflow with options

including restricting legal aid, limiting the time in which claims

can be brought in limiting the territorial advocation of the rights

that those claims are in. I'm convinced that Trident has a crucial

role to play in the defense of our country. The economic aspects are

important as well and there are a huge number of workers in our

country waiting with some anxiety to see whether or not Parliament is

prepared to pick a final approval for success the programme. And I

asked was suggested to give an assurance that he will not allow any

unnecessary debate to get in the way of the need to bring the main gate

proposals to the floor of his house for debate in the decision? I give

the honourable Lady the assurance she seeks. It takes more than ten

years to build one of the submarines and we need to get on and replace

the existing boats that will be obsolescent towards the end of the

20 20s we have set out our commitment in the strategic review

at the end of November to replace all four bodes and I hope it will

not be too long before Krugman is asked to endorse that commitment. --

boats. -- Parliament. Despite the obvious differences with Russia over

Crimea and the Ukraine will the Secretary of State give assurance

that he would redouble efforts to engage with his Russian counterparts

on fighting collaboratively against Daesh and Syria? I do not have to

tell my... I am not currently engaged in any discussions with my

Russian counterpart. The illegal annexation of Crimea and 2014 and

Russia's continuing support to separatist in eastern Ukraine do not

allow a return to normal engagement. However, in the interest of air and

maritime safety, I have authorized MOD officials to undertake limited

military to military engagement with the Russians to ensure that our own

airspace is properly protected. ... Also Chauveau Forge Masters, the

Secretary of State said the government position is to

maintain... Will be used in British filled? The honourable gentleman

will be interested in a statement that immediately follows these

questions in relation to what the government majors are making in

British steel. We are keen to ensure that British manufacturers have an

opportunity to compete for defense contracts with significant steel

components and they'll be continuing to be the case. On Thursday have a

great pleasure to company my visiting the defense support

decision... Man salute this innovation by my honourable friend

who is doing fantastic work and assessing Britain's defense need and

as well as assessing the technology opportunities. May ask my honourable

friend to give continuing thought to the effort of the high-altitude

record-holder which fantastic surveillance... In which my great

friend and late friend was a part of. I'm very grateful to my

honourable friend for giving me the credit for establishing the defense

solution center it would only be fair to the House into my future

career if I placed the credit where it is properly due at the feet of my

right honourable friend the Secretary of State and his former

role. I did enjoyed our visit to the DFC, bait are doing a great job to

place UK innovation of the heart of the defense industrial supply chain

globally endangered he would have noted that in the STS are we did

make reference to investing in a unique British capability for

advanced surveillance was I know will interest him. -- which I know.

The placement of the nuclear weapon system, how much does the government

think that will cost? As to make crystal clear in the -- SCSR we

recalculated the cost which we estimated at ?31 billion and added a

?10 billion in to that. We have no intention at this point to replace

the warhead, a decision on that will be taken later. Therefore, higher to

the honourable gentleman to focus on the 31 billion MMU plus the 10

billion commitment as the cost that is relevant today. The Minister of

State for small business industry and enterprise. Minister of State.

Mr Speaker, it is with regret that I find myself having to update the

House on further job losses in the steel sector. This morning Tartarus