Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Rosindell this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 141–155 of 155 · Ministry of Defence
If he will take steps he will take to tackle reductions in hull numbers within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 2003.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is an organisation of highly valued, specialist personnel. The Royal Navy, which includes the RFA, continues to ensure it has sufficient assets available to deliver its operational outputs. The Fleet Solid Support Programme will deliver three new solid support ships, entering service with the RFA in the early 2030s.
How much the average meal costs on a Royal Navy warship; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of fully funding food provision on Royal Navy warships.
Good nutrition is fundamental to military capability and the happiness of our personnel. It is essential for achieving optimum physical and mental performance, and for good health. The Royal Navy (RN) is committed to providing catering based on sound nutritional principles that support the health and performance of its people. The RN covers the cost of accommodation, bills and food when personnel are at sea and subsidises it when they are not. The Daily Messing Rate (DMR), which is used to calculate the level of food supplies aboard a ship, is currently set at £5.67 to cover all three meals. The DMR is set quarterly, and this figure covers the current quarter only (October - December 2024).
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of New Zealand joining the AUKUS partnership.
Our ambition to deliver nuclear-powered submarines for Australia under AUKUS Pillar One will remain trilateral, however AUKUS nations are seeking opportunities to engage key partners and allies on discrete advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar Two. Recognising New Zealand’s close bilateral defence partnerships with the AUKUS nations, we have commenced consultations with New Zealand to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities, on a project-by-project basis. We cannot prejudge the outcome of those consultations.
Whether he has met with his New Zealand counterpart.
The Secretary of State has met the Defence Minister for New Zealand, and looks forward to our countries working together on a range of defence and security issues.
What steps his Department is taking to improve (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the Royal Navy.
The new Government inherited a very challenging retention and recruitment position for all Services including the Royal Navy. Since taking office we have announced a number of new initiatives to improve recruitment including removing or updating over 100 outdated medical policies. We have also announced our intention to reduce the time it takes to join the Royal Navy as part of a new package of measures to improve recruitment. The Royal Navy continues to meet its operational commitments, but tackling recruitment and retention challenges is a top priority. The Royal Navy has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention including streamlining its recruiting and selection process with the aim of reducing the time candidates spend in the recruitment pipeline. Specific initiatives include an improved medical assessment procedure, an augmented recruitment workforce to increase outreach, additional funding to support an extended marketing campaign and a modernised and streamlined recruitment website.
What recent steps he has taken to ensure the security of Gibraltar.
The UK Government is committed to safeguarding the security of all our Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence support to Gibraltar.
How many Type 45 destroyers are (a) operationally available and (b) capable of being deployed simultaneously.
As of 31 October 2024, two Type 45 destroyers were immediately available, or deployed. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. This is carefully managed to ensure the Royal Navy has sufficient assets available to deliver concurrent operational outputs, both in the UK and around the globe, whilst sustaining longer term availability, to meet changing defence demands in an uncertain world. Readiness is a priority for this Government. Options to improve the readiness and availability of the Royal Navy Surface Fleet forms a key part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.
How many Type 23 frigates are (a) operationally available and (b) capable of being deployed simultaneously.
As of 31 October 2024, six Type 23 frigates were available. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. This is carefully managed to ensure the Royal Navy has sufficient assets available to deliver concurrent operational outputs today, both in the UK and around the globe, whilst ensuring longer term Frigate availability tomorrow to meet changing defence demands in an uncertain world. Readiness is a priority for this Government. Options to improve the readiness and availability of the Royal Navy Surface Fleet forms a key part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on the ballistic missile defence capabilities of the Royal Navy.
Ballistic missile and aircraft carrier capabilities are important to Defence. The importance of maritime power more broadly has been highlighted by the recent Royal Navy response to protect international shipping - vital to our way of life and economic security - from Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea. It is only right that we do not pre-determine what may happen in the review. The Strategic Defence Review will set out recommendations on the roles, capabilities, and reforms which UK Defence must have to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on the aircraft carrier capabilities of the Royal Navy.
Ballistic missile and aircraft carrier capabilities are important to Defence. The importance of maritime power more broadly has been highlighted by the recent Royal Navy response to protect international shipping - vital to our way of life and economic security - from Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea. It is only right that we do not pre-determine what may happen in the review. The Strategic Defence Review will set out recommendations on the roles, capabilities, and reforms which UK Defence must have to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
How many Albion-class amphibious assault ships are (a) operationally available and (b) undergoing upgrades.
I can confirm that since 2010, one Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ship has been held in extended readiness so that she can be regenerated if required. HMS Albion has taken HMS Bulwark’s position in extended readiness so that HMS Bulwark can undergo regeneration. Once regenerated she can be ready to deliver defence outputs if required. The Ministry of Defence annually releases readiness data for the Royal Navy surface fleet, however for reasons of operational security, we do not disclose timetables or forecasts as this information would be helpful to our adversaries.
What steps he is taking to increase domestic defence production capabilities.
This Government recognises the vital role of the defence industry in both keeping our country safe and in providing businesses, jobs, prosperity and tax in all corners of our United Kingdom. Our UK industry partners, of all sizes, are very much at the heart of our One Defence approach and we recognise the value that suppliers bring to the defence enterprise. That is why this Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy. The Defence Industrial Strategy will align our national security and economic priorities and will aim to create a better, bigger, more modern, connected, innovative, and resilient defence sector. It will also consider requirements for onshore production capability to ensure the UK has the industrial base needed to meet potential future threats.
Whether he has met with his counterpart in France since taking up his position.
Since taking up his position the Defence Secretary has met with his French counterpart Sebastian Lecornu. Their first meeting was on 23 July 2024 in Paris.
What progress he has made on the development of (a) undersea and (b) counter-hypersonic capabilities as part of AUKUS Pillar 2.
With our AUKUS partners we are undertaking a range of work developing undersea capabilities, including the ability to launch and recover uncrewed underwater systems from current classes of British and American submarines and integrating this capability to the SSN-AUKUS design; exploring opportunities to collaborate on undersea warfare sensors and payloads, including integrating the Sting Ray torpedo into UK and US maritime patrol aircraft; and deploying common advanced artificial algorithms to process data from each nation’s sonobuoys. We are also undertaking a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises with Australia and the United States to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and increase the sophistication and scale of autonomous uncrewed systems in the maritime and other domains. The AUKUS partners are increasing our collective ability to develop and deliver hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technologies through a series of trilateral tests and experiments that will accelerate the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of removing the prohibition on coeliac disease sufferers serving in the Armed Forces.
The Department is assessing current policies and identifying those which obstruct individuals from joining the Armed Forces. It is essential that new entrants to the Armed Forces are medically fit to meet the various challenges of Service life and the roles in which they will be expected to deploy. Candidates with coeliac disease are currently unable to join the Armed Forces as it is not possible to provide a gluten-free diet throughout a Service career especially when on operations. Coeliac disease is a condition with the potential for significant illness if a gluten free diet is not maintained. If an application is rejected on medical grounds, a candidate can appeal the decision with additional medical information. There is also an executive waiver process where the employing Service may, exceptionally, recruit someone who is below the normal entry standards.