Written questions by Dhesi.

What recent steps he has taken with international partners to dispose of legacy marine mines.

The Secretary of State for Defence has no direct responsibility for munitions in the marine environment, except for those associated with Ministry of Defence (MOD) wrecks. Environmental stewardship is important to the MOD and we continue to work closely with our international partners and allies to ensure the safety of personnel and the marine environment. Most legacy naval mines remain in situ in the marine environment, due to non-recovery following deployment during World Wars I and II. In the UK the current position for naval mines is that they are to be left undisturbed unless they become a hazard to public safety and shipping. If they remain undisturbed, they do not pose significant harm to human health or the marine environment. Where mines are identified as a hazard around the UK the MOD provides support to civil authorities to assist with disposal, should they request it. We work actively within NATO’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Working Group and other allied partnerships on opportunities to improve understanding, methods, and techniques for the management and disposal of naval mines. In April 2024 the MOD supported maritime historic disposal operations through Operation Open Spirit in the Baltic Sea. The purpose of this annual operation is to reduce the risk of mines to civilians through the detection and disposal of World War I and II historic ordnance, much of which is naval mines.

What assessment he has made of the potential dangers posed by explosive ordnance on international exports and imports.

The export of explosive ordnance would require a UK export licence. The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are the UK's strategic licensing authority for such goods.Imports of civil explosives are administered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Authorisations are required to import, store, manufacture and transport explosives that are imported from outside the UK.Imports and exports of such material handled by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are subject to MOD Commercial policy which assures compliance with key UK and foreign customs legislation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 15113 on Veterans: LGBT+ People, which recommendations have not been implemented.

To date, the Government has implemented 38 of Lord Etherton’s 49 recommendations. Of those that remain, six are for Defence: recommendation 3 – the restoration of rank lost due to the Ban; recommendation 17 – a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum;...

How their Department defines strategy.

As defined in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, “a strategy outlines longer term objectives, outcomes and outputs, and the means to achieve them, to inform future decisions and planning”. The Functional Standards Common Glossary is published on th...

Whether his Department plans to restart regular written intelligence briefings to hon. Members on the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Since the new Government was formed we have held two oral briefings for Parliamentarians on Ukraine, with a third planned before Christmas. These offered Parliamentarians the chance to be briefed and ask questions about developments in Ukraine.Regular wri...

How many and what proportion of steel companies that are classed by his Department as critical suppliers into UK defence programmes are based in the UK.

The UK steel industry is an important strategic national asset, vital for our security and our economy. Our 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 UK def...

What data his Department holds on the proportion of steel used in defence programmes that was manufactured in the UK.

The Ministry of Defence contributes to the Department for Business and Trade’s annual steel in public procurement return available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The Government will bring forward a new cross Governm...

How many full-time equivalent employees are employed by (a) his Department and (b) non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department; and what estimate he has made of the number of such employees who wil

We are working to ensure our workforce remains affordable and targeted at delivering the Department’s priorities and are committed to achieving a more efficient and effective civil service. The number of civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defe...

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised. Recruitment and retention of staff remains a priority for the...

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Air Force.

As part of a Defence-wide initiative driven at a Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board, the RAF is taking many steps to address the workforce challenge and retain our personnel. A People Campaign Plan is underw...

What steps he is taking to help increase productivity within his Department through the use of (a) artificial intelligence and (b) effective use of data.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to improving its productivity and is establishing a central Productivity Portfolio to break down the barriers to productive working, and is actively investigating opportunities to drive productivity through the use of ...

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Army.

Retention is one of the Army’s top priorities, supported by Defence. A retention strategy has been launched to address barriers to retention through a wholistic set of financial and policy initiatives spanning the entire employee lifecycle. Supported by a...

What steps he is taking to reduce instances of post traumatic stress disorder within the armed forces.

Measures are in place to increase awareness at all levels and to mitigate the development of operational stresses. These include pre-and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and (if required) treatment, both during and afte...

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy (RN) continues to meet its operational commitments, but tackling recruitment and retention challenges is a top priority.As part of a Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment Retention ...

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in his Department.

The Ministry of Defence understands the importance of creating a positive working environment where all employees feel valued, included and motivated to contribute to the purpose of the Department. We have a stable turnover rate, and we are actively monit...

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of imposing VAT on independent school

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of increasing the Continuity of Educa

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Questions 7840, 7842 and 7843 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of (a) i

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question 6838 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

How many children are educated with financial assistance from the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a...

How many service personnel receive the Continuity of Education Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our serving personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. The Continuity of Education Allowance helps by providing the children of serving personnel with a...