Written questions by Bowie.

Whether the review of the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal was completed in time for Nuclear Test Veterans to receive their medal before Remembrance Day.

The review of Nuclear Test Medal eligibility was conducted at pace. The expanded qualifying criteria were ratified by the Honours and Decorations Committee and approved by His Majesty The King on 6 November 2024. Those who directly supported the American atmospheric tests, which were conducted in the same time period as the independent UK atmospheric tests (1952 – 1967), are therefore now eligible for the first time. I had the pleasure of presenting the first Nuclear Test Medal, using the expanded eligibility criteria, on Thursday, 7 November 2024, to Squadron Leader Peters, one of the RAF pilots who took part in Operation BAGPIPES. The Ministry of Defence has written to the relatives of two other former RAF personnel, now deceased, who participated in the American tests to advise that their applications have now been approved, and medals have been dispatched.

When members of the Immediate Choice veterans cohort will receive their McCloud remedy pension payments.

When an Immediate Choice member opts for alternative benefits under the 2015 Pension Remedy (McCloud), arrears and interest are included in the calculations. However, due to the intricacy of these calculations and the high number of elections, the completion of these payments is taking longer than anticipated. We are processing all elections in the order they were received. If an election was made before 1 September 2024, it may take up to six months to adjust the pension entitlement. For elections received after 1 September 2024, the estimated revision time is up to four months. Members are informed about this delay upon returning their election form. Members who have chosen alternative benefits will continue to receive their current benefits until their election is processed. These alternative benefits will be retroactively applied from the date of original entitlement, with interest applied from that date until the payment date, ensuring members do not experience any financial disadvantage.

What definition his Department uses of Sovereign Capability.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. As part of the strategy it is expected the categorisation of sovereign production capacity will be considered, working closely with industry.

Pursuant to the oral answer of 14 October 2024 from the Minister for Veterans and People, Official Report, column 574, if he will clarify what the correct (a) welfare and (b) legal support are for veterans that are required to undergo legal proceedings relating to their service during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Government recognises the important service of veterans and serving personnel and the sacrifices they made to keep us all safe in Northern Ireland during the troubles. We will provide any former or current member of the Armed Forces involved in legal proceedings relating to their official duties with the appropriate welfare and legal support. Welfare support is tailored to individual veterans’ needs and circumstances and given on an opt-in basis. The MOD delivers this support through the most appropriate agency depending on the nature of the veteran’s service. In many cases, this would be the Army Operational Legacy Branch, who have a team of dedicated military support officers. Legal support too is tailored to the circumstances, including in what capacity veterans are involved in legal proceedings. Veterans are offered independent legal support at public expense where they are at risk of prosecution relating to actions taken during their employment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK’s decision to suspend some arms exports licenses with Israel on intelligence-sharing with that country.

It is a long-standing policy that we do not discuss detailed intelligence matters and so I regret I am unable to provide any additional detail.

What assessment he has made of the requirement to secure critical minerals supply chains for the development of the AUKUS agreement.

In recognition of the enduring partnership the UK holds with Canada, alongside Canada's close bilateral defence partnerships with each member of AUKUS, the Prime Minister, President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese, announced on 17 September that we were consulting with Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II. This collaboration on a project by project basis was discussed again at the AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting in London on 26 September.Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom continue to work together as members of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a collaboration of 14 countries and the European Union, to catalyse public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.

What discussions he has had with (a) the United States and (b) Australia on the potential merits of expanding Pillar II of the AUKUS agreement to include Canada.

In recognition of the enduring partnership the UK holds with Canada, alongside Canada's close bilateral defence partnerships with each member of AUKUS, the Prime Minister, President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese, announced on 17 September that we were consulting with Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II. This collaboration on a project by project basis was discussed again at the AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting in London on 26 September.Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom continue to work together as members of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a collaboration of 14 countries and the European Union, to catalyse public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of inviting Canada to join Pillar II of the AUKUS agreement.

In recognition of the enduring partnership the UK holds with Canada, alongside Canada's close bilateral defence partnerships with each member of AUKUS, the Prime Minister, President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese, announced on 17 September that we were consulting with Canada, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II. This collaboration on a project by project basis was discussed again at the AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting in London on 26 September.Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom continue to work together as members of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a collaboration of 14 countries and the European Union, to catalyse public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.