Labour Mocked for Accidentally Sending Commons Answers to Opposition

Labour is still getting used to the process of government. After seven months…

The government accidentally sent its prepared answers to today’s Commons oral questions on defence to… the Tories. Who had a bit of fun with it in the Chamber…

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said kicked off:

“Now this being defence you will know the importance of secure communication – so before I put on record my question can I ask whether we should be grateful or concerned that prior to defence orals my MPs were sent all of the Ministry of Defence’s answers to our oral questions in advance. So we’ve been forewarned – I thought it’d be to the benefit of the House, Mr Speaker, given the importance of secure communications.”

Read all of Labour’s pre-prepared answers below. Co-conspirators can play along as they are answered live:

COMMONS ORAL 2

Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) (Conservative)

What his plans are for the disposal of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. (902643)
Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP

The Royal Navy is exploring options to sell both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark in a government-to-government sale. Several customers have shown interest, but no final decisions have been made.
COMMONS ORAL (3&12)

John Lamont MP (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)(Conservative)
In which financial year he plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence (902644)

Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Conservative)
In which financial year he plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on (902654)

Rt Hon John Healey MP

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to answer questions 3 and 12 together.

This Government has set a firm commitment to setting a pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence in spring.

COMMONS ORAL 4, 18 & 23

*4 Bradley Thomas (Bromsgrove, Conservative): What steps he is taking to protect undersea infrastructure. (902645)

*18 Harriet Cross (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative): What steps he is taking to protect undersea infrastructure. (902660

*23 Damien Egan (Bristol North East, Labour): What steps he is taking to protect critical undersea infrastructure. (902665)

Luke Pollard MP

With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to answer questions 4, 18 and 23 together.

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure. We continue to co-ordinate with HMG partners, particularly DSIT and DESNZ who own critical undersea infrastructure policy, as well as security partners, industry, and international bodies to assess and understand risks to this infrastructure.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

Damien Egan (Bristol North East, Labour): Our undersea cables are critical to our economy, public services and the functioning of social order in this country. Given hostile activity surveilling our cables. Can ministers give assurances that the full needs of our Navy will be reflected in the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review so that we know, what they need, to combat modern day threats.

Luke Pollard MP

Consideration of the protection of undersea cables and the Royal Navy’s vital part in this are central to the SDR’s work. This is part and parcel of the Strategic Defence Review’s specific focus on reinforcing the defence of the British homeland as set out in its terms of reference.
COMMONS ORAL 5 & 10

*5 Mr Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge) (Con)
*10 Mr Blake Stephenson (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con)

If he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of removing taxation from death in service payments.
(902646) (902652)

Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP

With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to answer questions 5 and 10 together.

I would seek to reassure the Honourable Gentlemen that an existing exemption in Inheritance Tax legislation means that active members who die as a result of their service, are exempt from Inheritance Tax provisions. This Government is deeply proud of our Armed Forces and is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, have served and their families. Guidance will subsequently be developed and provided to members in due course.

COMMONS ORAL 6

Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife)(Liberal Democrats)

Whether he has had discussions with officials in the US Administration on its commitment to NATO (9022647)

Rt Hon John Healey MP

I held an introductory call with the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on 31 January. We discussed the importance of all NATO allies doing more, including on Defence spending, investing in Defence industry, needing to adapt to emerging threats and burden-sharing our collective support to Ukraine. I look forward to meeting Secretary Hegseth at NATO Defence Ministers.

COMMONS ORAL 7

Iain Duncan-Smith MP (Chingford and Woodford Green)(Conservative)

What his planned timetable is for the annual provision of £3 billion of military support to Ukraine. (902648)

Rt Hon John Healey MP

The Government has committed to maintain its current level of support for Ukraine of £3 billion each year, for as long as is needed. The nature and timing of operational activity is dynamic and informed by detailed and cooperative working with our Ukrainian allies.

COMMONS ORAL 8, 20 & 24

*8 David Taylor MP (Hemel Hempstead) (Labour)
*20 Peter Swallow MP (Bracknell) (Labour)
*24 Sarah Edwards MP (Tamworth) (Labour)

What steps he is taking to help increase recruitment to the Armed Forces. (902650) (902662) (902666)

Luke Pollard MP

With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to answer questions 8, 20 and 24 together.

This Government has already begun to modernise and refine our policies and processes to attract, and then retain the best possible talent in our Armed Forces.

Recent policies have included a 35% pay increase for new recruits; one of the largest pay increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel; scrapping over 100 outdated medical policies; a commitment to create a new military direct-entry cyber pathway; and setting an ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days.

COMMONS ORAL (*09)

Obese-Jecty, Ben (Huntingdon, Conservative)

How many Afghans who worked directly for British forces have been relocated to the UK under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (902651)

Luke Pollard

As noted in my answer to the written question tabled by the Hon. Member on this matter, over 30,000 eligible Afghans have relocated to the UK under existing resettlement schemes.

It is not possible to provide a breakdown of relocation figures by job role. This is including those who worked directly for British Forces.
COMMONS ORAL 11

Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (Liberal Democrat)

Question (UIN 902653) What steps is he taking to support minority groups in the Armed Forces (902

Al Carns MP

We are making the step changes required to create a more inclusive environment, enabling everyone, irrespective of background, to deliver Defence outputs, enhance operational effectiveness and better defend and represent the nation we serve.

Our commitment to Raising our Standards, better supporting our Women, our Race Equity Programme and our work to recruit non-religious and minority faith Chaplains are great examples of Defence’s determination to make our Armed Forces the very best place to work.

COMMONS ORAL (*13)

Edward Morello (West Dorset) (Liberal Democrat)

Question (902655)

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry

The second stage of the New Medium Helicopter competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submit a tender.

The proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.COMMONS ORAL *14
Sarah Dyke(Glastonbury and Somerton) (Liberal Democrat)
What progress his Department has made on achieving a 30% inflow of women into the Armed Forces by 2030. (UIN 902656)
Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP
Our Servicewomen are an integral part of the Armed Forces and play a vital role in protecting the nation. Our Levels of Ambition are designed to ensure we continue to attract female talent and better represent UK society.
The Armed Forces have implemented actions to move us towards those Levels of Ambition, including focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics to attract talent in vital areas, as well as improving the recruitment journey. C

OMMONS ORAL 15

Sarah Bool MP (South Northamptonshire)(Con)
Whether he plans to Appoint a Veterans Commissioner For England. 902657
Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP
As a veteran myself, I will always stand up for those who have served our country. I am working closely with the Veterans’ Commissioners for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Whilst we do not currently have any plans for another Commissioner, I am actively looking holistically at how we can ensure the structures for supporting veterans at a national, regional and local level, are institutionally resilient.

COMMONS ORAL 16

*16 Kyrke-Smith, Laura (Lab,Aylesbury): What steps he is taking to increase military support for Ukraine. (902658)

Luke Pollard MP

As we approach the third anniversary of this unprovoked attack, our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute.

This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with a £4.5 billion boost. This will see the UK procure hundreds more air defence systems, drones and essential equipment support to sustain Ukrainian forces on the front line.

This week the Secretary of State will host the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, galvanising international support to Ukraine.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

Kyrke-Smith, Laura (Lab,Aylesbury): I want to ask about violations of international humanitarian law & what more we can do to ensure accountability. But haven’t worked out details of an exact question and happy to take any suggestions.

In terms of Russian violations of international humanitarian law, what more we can do to ensure accountability?
Those responsible for the hideous atrocities we have seen in Ukraine must be held to account for their actions. The UK is pursuing accountability for Russia’s crimes on multiple channels, with an additional £4.5m of funding announced on 29 December to aid Ukraine’s efforts in seeking justice for war crimes committed during the full-scale invasion.
As we made clear in our manifesto, the Government supports work towards establishing a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. We are determined to take forward these discussions at pace.
Since the start of the conflict, we have also provided more than £2 million in additional contributions to the ICC to increase its capacity to collect evidence and support survivors.

COMMONS ORAL 17

Luke Myer (Middlesborough South and East Cleveland) (LAB)

What steps he is taking to support jobs in the Defence sector. (902659).

The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP

Defence is not just a cornerstone of national security but also a powerful engine for growth. Defence spending already supports 239,000 UK jobs in industry, including around 8,000 apprenticeships, building the capabilities of the future. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will secure skilled, rewarding, exciting careers in Defence, that support families and communities across our nation.

COMMONS ORAL 21

Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West) (Lib Dem)

What steps his Department is taking to help protect female members of the armed forces from sexual harassment. (902663)

Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP

Sexual Harassment has no place in our Armed Forces. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and where unacceptable behaviours are addressed and stamped out.

Criminal behaviour will be investigated by the Service police and referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority for consideration of charges. Behaviour that falls short of the expected standards, even when it does not cross the criminal threshold, will be met with sanctions up to and including Termination of Service.

COMMONS ORAL 22

Kevin Bonavia (Stevenage)(Labour)

What recent discussions he has had with NATO allies on strengthening European security. (902664)

Luke Pollard MP

The Government is committed to a NATO First Defence Policy, through which we are making NATO stronger, ensuring 1 billion North Americans and Europeans are all safer and more prosperous. With our reset of relations, we are working with our European Allies to harden Europe’s defences. European NATO Allies must continue to take greater responsibility for our own security – spending more, producing more, and delivering larger and more capable forces. With threats increasing, with a cast iron commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, the UK is committed to strengthening defence collaboration with NATO allies even further. That is the message the Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Prime Minister continue to deliver to our allies and partners.