Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alicia Kearns this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–15 of 15 · Ministry of Defence
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the Australian Department of Defence to migrate its systems out of Global Switch data centres following the 2016 acquisition; and what steps his Department took to assess whether equivalent risks existed in the United Kingdom.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether any MoD data was stored in or transited through Global Switch data centres in London between December 2016 and December 2017.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether the commitment to participate in US-led monitoring and verification of any ceasefire in Ukraine is binding.
Following the Leaders’ meeting in Paris on 6 January 2026, technical discussions with the United States and international partners on potential monitoring and verification arrangements for any ceasefire in Ukraine are ongoing. As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks and we will continue to work closely with our US allies to guarantee Ukraine’s security long-term including participating in US-led ceasefire monitoring.
What form, physical or remote intelligence, the UK commitment to participate in US-led monitoring and verification of a ceasefire in Ukraine will take.
Technical discussions with the United States and international partners on potential monitoring and verification arrangements for any ceasefire in Ukraine are ongoing. As reiterated by the Prime Minister, we have seen excellent progress in US-led negotiations in recent weeks and we will continue to work closely with our US allies to guarantee Ukraine’s security long-term including participating in US-led ceasefire monitoring.
Whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the period for additional claims on the War Pension Scheme to six months.
There are no plans to change the time limits associated with claims under the War Pension Scheme to six months. It may be helpful to explain that this time limit does not prevent a claim for additional benefits being made after three months. If a claim for additional benefits is made after this time limit, the additional payments are made from the date of that claim. Whereas, if additional benefits are claimed within the time limit, payments will be backdated to the date of the original claim. The current process ensures timely support for claimants, preserves administrative efficiency, and safeguards the fairness and sustainability of the scheme. Claimants are made aware of this timeframe, but exceptions to it exist, such as if the claimant was unable to make a claim due to exceptional circumstances, or if new evidence comes to light that was not previously available.
What estimate he has made of the number of living LGBT veterans dismissed from the Armed Forces before 1967 who are excluded from the reparations recommended by the LGBT Veterans Independent Review; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the scope of the reparations to include those veterans.
The Government recognises the profound impact that historic criminal and Service law had on LGBT veterans and is committed to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in its restorative measures. While the current scope of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) is based on the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, the Government acknowledges the concerns raised regarding veterans dismissed before 1967. We therefore extended four restorative measures to those who served before 1967. They can apply to have administrative discharges qualified, their rank restored, Certificates of Service re-issued, and former Officers may apply to have Service details published in The Gazette, as part of the official record. At present, the Government has not conducted, nor does it have plans to conduct, a formal assessment of the potential merits of extending the FRS to include veterans dismissed or discharged before 1967. This is because the Scheme was set up specifically to respond to the period when Service law was different to civilian law. We do not know how many living veterans were dismissed or discharged from the Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity before 1967. The forthcoming Veterans Strategy will set out this government’s vision for the remarkable men and women that have served in this country’s Armed Forces. Through this new strategy, we will ensure all veterans’– including LGBT – service is celebrated, their potential to make further contributions is realised and, for those that need it, that the right support is available to them.
How many LGBT veterans have received financial reparation.
As of 23 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme had made payments totalling £3.4 million to 69 applicants with life-limiting conditions or serious health concerns. We are now processing applications based on date received. The first payments were issued within 15 weeks of the scheme going live. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to ensuring all eligible veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
How many and what proportion of white fleet vehicles used by the military were produced in China.
This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
What his Department's policy is on Members of Parliament holding surgeries for armed forces personnel in military barracks.
Guidance on the use of Ministry of Defence sites to host MP constituency surgeries is set out in Joint Service Publication 850, entitled Infrastructure and Estate Policy, Standards and Guidance which states that: 'Use of MOD facilities is not to be permitted for any purpose associated with a political party, a group having political associations, an organisation with political aims or for large scale assemblies/rallies which in the judgement of the Budget Holder are likely to cause a breach of the peace or result in unruly conduct.'
Whether his Department issues guidance to the armed forces on the use of barracks to host MP constituency surgeries for serving personnel.
Guidance on the use of Ministry of Defence sites to host MP constituency surgeries is set out in Joint Service Publication 850, entitled Infrastructure and Estate Policy, Standards and Guidance.
Which Minister in his Department is responsible for defence policy on the Overseas Territories.
I am the lead Defence Minister for Overseas Territories.
How many UK military personnel are deployed in each Overseas Territory.
The Ministry of Defence has UK military personnel across various UK Overseas Territories. The approximate* breakdown of military personnel permanently based in UK Overseas Territories is as follows: Ascension IslandFalkland IslandsGibraltarBritish Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and DhekeliaTurks and Caicos Islands20830140**402,3701 In addition to this, across all UK Overseas Territories, there are also personnel deployed on operations. While there may be other categories of personnel in other UK Overseas Territories, this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. * Personnel change over and transition on a regular basis. With leave and other commitments (such as training), specific numbers may fluctuate. ** This figure excludes the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG), around 270 personnel whose home base is Gibraltar.
For what reason was Kosovo not mentioned as a contributory nation to Operation Interflex on a social media post made by his Department on 20 November 2024.
The UK's support for Ukraine is ironclad, and we are grateful for the contributions of Kosovo and 11 other partner nations to our programme of basic military training for Ukrainian recruits - Operation Interflex - which recently passed the milestone of 50,000 recruits trained since summer 2022. Our other communications have referenced Kosovo as a contributor.These include last week's announcement press release detailing the 50,000 recruits trained milestone and a similar social media post two days earlier on 18 November:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-marks-1000th-day-of-full-scale-invasion-of-ukraine-as-training-programme-hits-50000https://x.com/DefenceHQ/status/1858573602762719382 I would be very happy to meet with the hon. Member to discuss this further.
How many gas masks the UK (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide to Ukraine.
Since 2022 the Ministry of Defence has provided 8,500 Respirators to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The MOD continues to assess and monitor the threat environment in Ukraine, including Russia's use of chemicals as a method of warfare and works closely with our international partners to coordinate counter-CBRN support and assistance.
Whether his Departments plans to implement all recommendations in the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, published on 19 July 2023; what his planned timetable is for the implementation of recommendations; and how much compensation he plans to provide to affected people.
The Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. The treatment of LGBT Serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces. All 49 recommendations made in Lord Etherton’s report have been accepted and to date, 32 of the 49 recommendations have already been implemented, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting our veterans and the LGBT+ community. Full details about these recommendations and the non-financial restorative measures already available can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures Lord Etherton’s report demonstrated the broad range of ways that personnel were impacted by the Ban. The financial redress scheme has been designed with this in mind, intending to provide a sense of closure to all those affected. Defence has worked with experts across Government to design an appropriate scheme where applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, enabling appropriate distribution of the available funds. Defence cannot confirm the estimated number of applicants, nor the average payment amounts that can be expected. The Government will continue to finalise the details of the scheme and is committed to providing an update as soon as possible. Further updates on the development of the financial redress scheme will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps I hope this helps explain Defence’s position and reassures you that we are committed to welcoming back LGBT veterans into the Armed Forces community, where they have always belonged.