Written questions by Duffield.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of changing the date for the award of the Wider Service Medal from 2018 to 2011.

The Wider Service Medal was introduced to provide medallic recognition for operational activity that delivers a significant and direct contribution to UK objectives in rigorous circumstances, but not necessarily in roles exposed to physical risk. The date of 11 December 2018 was determined as a clearly defined point in time when Her Late Majesty The Queen approved the initial concept of the Wider Service Medal. At that time there was no intention to include any retrospection, so using December 2018 as the start date for the Medal is considered a balanced approach that recognises the original discussions and Her Late Majesty’s initial approval. The Department has no plans to review the date of December 2018.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the sale of his Department's Old Park and Chequers Wood site in Canterbury on levels of biodiversity.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has undertaken a Baseline Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment for Old Park and Chequers Wood.This Assessment details primary habitats and provides an ecological baseline for the site.The site is being disposed of in accordance with the Department's standard process as mandated by His Majesty's Treasury. The site is designated in part as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and any development potential is limited. However, once sold, the future use of the site is a matter for the potential purchaser in conjunction with the local planning authority, and this is something the Ministry of Defence cannot influence.