Parliamentary Answers – Week Commencing 30th April 2012

This is a regular round up of Parliamentary questions and answers from ministers relevant to defence issues.

In addition to oral questions, MPs and Peers can ask government ministers questions for written answer.

These are often used to obtain detailed information about policies and statistics on the activities of government departments.

In the House of Commons ‘ordinary’ questions do not have to be answered on a specific date. An MP will date a written question for two days after they have tabled it (ie, submitted it for answer via the Table Office). The convention is that the MP can expect it to be answered within seven days of the question being tabled.

Question

Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have had with John Griffin of Addison Lee since 12 May 2010.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 24 April 2012

Details of meetings between Ministers and senior officials with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis. Meetings from October 2011 will be published in due course.

The special advisers have not held any meetings with John Griffin.

We are not aware of any meeting between officials and John Griffin but a definitive answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

 

 

Question

Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that military personnel are registered and encouraged to vote in elections.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 25 April 2012

On 21 February 2012 a publicity campaign was launched to encourage all service personnel and their families to register to vote. The Minister for the Armed Forces, Nick Harvey, attended the Service Voter Registration Day held in the Ministry of Defence, and similar events were held on military establishments both in the United Kingdom and overseas. A Defence Instruction Notice has also been published advising how service personnel can register to exercise their vote.

We continue to work closely with the Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission to promote Service Voter registration in line with the commitment made in the coalition programme for Government. We will also make special arrangements to allow service personnel serving overseas to vote in general elections.

 

 

Question

Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the Tri-Service Regulations for pay and charges. [R]

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 24 April 2012

The Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) provides independent advice to the Defence Secretary on the remuneration and charges for the armed forces. The review for 2012 was published in March 2012 and made a number of recommendations, all of which have been accepted in full. The AFPRB retains a fundamental, independent role in ensuring that the remuneration package for our service personnel is sufficient to recruit and retain the right people. There are no plans to change this important principle.

 

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundancies have been announced as part of Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 for each (a) Army regiment, (b) naval unit and (c) Royal Air Force group.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 23 April 2012

The available information will be placed in the Library of the House. However, two important provisos must be noted.

First, redundancies relate to individuals, not to their posts. This means that in many instances, personnel who leave a particular unit on redundancy will be replaced by re-assigning personnel from elsewhere. The locations and units in which personnel are serving when notified for redundancy do not therefore necessarily represent a reduction in the strength of those locations or units.

Secondly, service personnel typically change appointment every 18 to 36 months; the units in which personnel were serving when notified will, in some instances, be different from those in which they are serving on exit.

While the redundancy fields and maximum yields required in Tranche 2 have been published, the selection process is still under way and notices of redundancy will not be given until 12 June 2012. The disposition of redundancies for Tranche 2 is therefore not known at this stage.

 

 

Question

Martin Horwood (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to support (a) security sector reform in Egypt and (b) Egyptian civil society to hold security and justice providers to account.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer 24 April 2012

As part of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy, the Ministry of Defence, together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, is looking to identify ways to provide support for security sector reform in Egypt. This work will include engagement with key decision makers to increase their understanding of security sector reform. It will also help to inform them of the requirements to ensure an accountable security apparatus which operates in accordance with international human rights standards.

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many Harrier pilots have been made redundant since May 2010;

(2) how many Harrier pilots have been redeployed to other duties since May 2010.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

Since May 2010,109 Royal Air Force and 28 Royal Navy former Harrier pilots have been redeployed to other duties and 12 Royal Navy former Harrier pilots have been made redundant.

 

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2012, Official Report, column 465W, on Departmental contracts, how much his Department has spent on (a) contracts with media companies and (b) media campaigns in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

Approximately 97% of advertising and marketing expenditure by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is for the purpose of recruitment to the armed forces. Advertising and marketing spending exceeding £25,000 has been published centrally on the

http://data.gov.uk/

website since June 2010. Total figures for 2011-12 are not yet available. Information held does not discriminate between the costs of contracts with media companies and costs of media campaigns.

It is important to note that despite a process of redundancies, to reduce the size of the armed forces due to the current financial difficulties, the services need to maintain a strong recruitment process. Although this may appear counter initiative, the services depend on high quality young people and to prevent gaps in specialist skills and the appropriate personnel at all levels of the services, they need to carry on recruiting.

In addition to the advertising and marketing figures published online, there are a number of MOD contracts let to media companies for the support of service welfare. These contracts which provide internal service television and radio broadcasts, among other welfare services, cost some of £27.7 million in 2009-10, £26.6 million in 2010-11 and £24.5 million in 2011-12.

Service welfare broadcasts are used to inform our servicemen and women in operational theatres about national and international news, and to provide entertainment for them during the limited down time available to them.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many (a) civilian and (b) service staff were employed at 2nd Division headquarters at Craigiehall in each year since 2009;

(2) how many (a) civilian and (b) service staff were employed at Edinburgh Castle in each year since 2009.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

Headquarters 2nd Division was closed at the beginning of April 2012. The following tables provide details of the number of Headquarters 2nd Division posts at both Craigiehall and Edinburgh Castle, in each year since 2009:

Craigiehall
	April 2009	April 2010	April 2011
UK Regular Forces	80	85	75
Civilian Personnel	120	145	130

Edinburgh Castle
	April 2009	April 2010	April 2011
UK Regular Forces	30	5	5
Civilian Personnel	50	30	10

Figures are based on the 2nd Division Army Establishment Table for these locations and do not include other Defence units that may be based at these sites.

 

 

Question

Julian Lewis (New Forest East, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy has the capacity to man more than a seven-boat attack submarine fleet.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

If required, the Royal Navy would be able to complement more than a seven-boat attack submarine fleet through the application of normal manpower planning and submarine programming.

 

 

Question

Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many post-2005 widows are in receipt of survivors’ guaranteed income payments.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

Since the introduction of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme in April 2005, payments are issued to surviving adult dependants of the bereaved by way of an index linked Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment for life. As at 30 September 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 215 recipients.

 

 

Question

John Spellar (Warley, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the oral answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 17 April 2012, Official Report, column 155, on Afghanistan, what steps he will take in advance of the NATO summit in Chicago to ensure that full consideration is given at the summit to maintaining security for women in Afghanistan.

Answer

Alistair Burt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Afghanistan/South Asia, counter terrorism/proliferation, North America, Middle East and North Africa), Foreign and Commonwealth Office; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)

Officials in Kabul are in contact with their Finnish and other international and Afghan counterparts, including the Afghan Women’s Network, National Democratic Institute and UN Women, on preparations for a pre-Chicago event in Kabul, which will focus on NATO implementation on UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security within ISAF. This event is being led by the Finnish delegation who work alongside the Afghan Government to take forward UNSCR 1325 among international donors in Afghanistan.

This will provide an opportunity for Afghan women and civil society representatives to share their concerns and recommendations with Afghan security ministries in advance of the NATO Chicago summit.

In addition, Ministers continue to have ongoing discussions with NATO partners, including most recently at the NATO Foreign and Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 18-19 April, on the sustainability of the Afghan national security forces so that they will be able to continue to provide security for all Afghans. We are working to ensure that discussions at Chicago on NATO’s long-term role confirm its continuing support for the rights of women and the implementation of UNSCR 1325.

 

 

Question

Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department has undertaken to determine the (a) size, (b) structure and (c) role of British personnel in Afghanistan after 2014.

Answer

Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)

holding answer 24 April 2012

By the end of 2014, UK forces will not be serving in Afghanistan in a combat role and there will not be anything like the number of British troops that are there now. Nonetheless our long-term commitment to Afghanistan will last well beyond 2014 as evidenced by our Enduring Strategic Partnership document, signed by the Prime Minister and President Karzai in January 2012.

As part of our enduring legacy in Afghanistan, UK troops will support the development of the Afghan National Security Forces by providing training at the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy. Detailed planning, in conjunction with NATO and other allies, is ongoing but no further decisions have yet been made about any other longer term, UK residual presence.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel will work at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy; and what the cost to the public purse will be in each of the next five years.

Answer

Gerald Howarth (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (International Security Strategy), Defence; Aldershot, Conservative)

As part of our enduring commitment to Afghanistan, the UK will lead coalition support at the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy. At its peak, approximately 120 coalition troops will work at the academy providing leadership training to the officer cadets. The UK expects to provide roughly three-quarters of this manpower. In addition to this, there will be a number of personnel working in a force protection and support role.

The UK’s manpower commitment will begin in 2013. Detailed financial planning is ongoing so we are not able to indicate the full costs at this stage.

 

 

Question

Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with their US counterparts on the role of British personnel in Afghanistan after 2014.

Answer

Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)

holding answer 24 April 2012

Both I and Ministers within the Ministry of Defence have regular and routine discussions with our US allies on a range of issues. We are also in regular discussion with NATO and our other ISAF partners about the role NATO will have in Afghanistan after 2014. NATO allies, including the US, have agreed that NATO’s post-2014 role should focus on training, advising and assisting the Afghan national security forces. The full scope of the NATO role will be set out in the NATO Strategic Plan for Afghanistan which will be one of the topics for discussion at the Chicago summit in May 2012.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) Government Ministers, (b) Ministers from devolved Governments, (c) Members of the UK Parliament, (d) Members of the Scottish Parliament, (e) Members of the Northern Irish Legislative Assembly and (f) Assembly Members of the Welsh Assembly have made a visit to Afghanistan organised by his Department since the beginning of Operation Herrick; when each such visit took place; and what the duration of each such visit was.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer 18 April 2012

Records only exist from October 2009, and may not be comprehensive. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the following visits:

Dates	Purpose of visit	Names of all Ministers, MPs, MEPs or MHKs in visit group
2009
3-4 October		Bob Ainsworth MP (Minister)
		Alan Johnson MP (Minister)
3-5 December		David Cameron MP
7-10 December		Bob Ainsworth MP (Minister)
2010
6-8 January		William Hague MP
		George Osborne MP
18-21 January	House of Commons Defence Committee	James Arbuthnot MP
		Linda Gilroy MP
		Dai Havard MP
		Adam Holloway MP
		Bernard Jenkin MP
		Madeleine Moon MP
		Richard Younger-Ross MP
31 January-2 February		Bill Rammell MP (Minister)
		Quentin Davies MP (Minister)
15-18 January	Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme	Earl Shrewsbury (House of Lords)
		Mike Penning MP
		Ian Liddell-Grainger MP
		Frank Cook MP
		Gerald Howarth MP
		Philip Hollobone MP
		James Gray MP
		Andrew George MP
		Martyn Jones MP
7-9 March		Bob Ainsworth MP (Minister)
		Douglas Alexander MP (Minister)
21-23 May		Dr Liam Fox MP (Minister)
		William Hague MP (Minister)
		Andrew Mitchell MP (Minister)
10-11 June		David Cameron MP (Prime Minister)

13-15 June		Nick Harvey MP (Minister)
6-8 July		Peter Luff MP (Minister)
		Gerald Howarth MP (Minister)
18-20 July		William Hague MP (Minister)
		Andrew Mitchell MP (Minister)
9-11 August		Dr Liam Fox MP (Minister)
25-28 October	Foreign Affairs Committee	Richard Ottaway MP
		Mike Gapes MP
		Andrew Rosindell MP
		Frank Roy MP
		John Stanley MP
		Rory Stewart MP
		Dave Watts MP
27-29 October		Andrew Robathan MP (Minister)
13-14 November		Dr Liam Fox MP (Minister)
6-8 December		David Cameron MP (Prime Minister)
3-6 January		Dr Liam Fox MP (Minister)
		Alistair Burt MP (Minister)
2011
17-20 January	House of Commons Defence Committee	James Arbuthnot MP
		Dai Havard MP
		Jeffrey Donaldson MP
		John Glen MP
		Madeleine Moon MP
		Penny Mordaunt MP
		Sandra Osborne MP
		Bob Stewart MP
		Gisela Stuart MP
27-30 January		Ed Miliband MP
		Douglas Alexander MP
		Jim Murphy MP
10-13 February		Gerald Howarth MP (Minister)
20-22 February		Nick Harvey MP (Minister)
12-15 March		Andrew Mitchell MP (Minister)
15-18 March	MP and Peer visit	Lord Eames
		Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
		Jim Shannon MP
		Bob Russell MP
		Michael Moore MP (Minister)

14-17 June		Dr Liam Fox MP (Minister)
20-24 June		William Hague MP (Minister)
4-7 September		Alistair Burt MP (Minister)
29-30 October		Andrew Mitchell MP (Minister)
10-12 November		Philip Hammond MP (Minister)
18-21 November	MP and Peer visit and Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme	Stephen Gilbert MP
		Mark Hunter MP
		Julian Huppert MP
		Jo Swinson MP
		Rosie Winterton MP
		Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
		Lord Davies of Stamford
		Lord Gilbert
		Lord Ribeiro
		Giles Chichester MEP
		Oliver Colvile MP
		Caroline Dinenage MP
		Graham Evans MP
		Ashley Fox MEP
		Richard Graham MP
		Andrew Griffiths MP
		Simon Hart MP
		Mark Lancaster MP
		Jessica Lee MP
		Jeremy Lefroy MP
		Karen Lumley MP
		Mark Menzies MP
		Matthew Offord MP
		Mark Pawsey MP
		Jonathan Reynolds MP
		Jim Shannon MP
		Lord Rotherwick
		Emma McClarkin MEP
		Nikki Sinclaire MEP
		Mary Macleod MP
		Chris Kelly MP
20 December		David Cameron MP (Prime Minister)
2012
21-24 February		Gerald Howarth MP (Minister)
		Andrew Robathan MP (Minister)
28-29 February		Nick Harvey MP (Minister)
		Peter Luff MP (Minister)
		Lord Astor of Hever (Minister)
		Lord Wallace of Saltaire

 

 

Question

Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether financial support has been provided by his Department to AgustaWestland to assist in transferring work contracted by the company to Vector Aerospace back to AgustaWestland’s in-house facility.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 23 April 2012

The decision by AgustaWestland not to extend their sub-contracts with Vector Aerospace for support work on the Sea King and Lynx aircraft was a commercial decision in which the Ministry of Defence had no involvement.

No financial support has been provided to assist in the transfer of work from Vector Aerospace’s Almondbank facility to AgustaWestland’s facility in Yeovil. Reassurances have been received that this will not impact on cost or performance outputs.

 

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether RAF personnel who have been made redundant and are liable for reserve service will receive a daily allowance; what the rate of any such daily allowance is; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many RAF personnel who have been made redundant from the service in the last 12 months remain liable for reserve service; for how long this condition will apply; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

RAF personnel made redundant who have a commitment for recall to the service do not receive a daily allowance. Former RAF personnel recalled to the service under the Reserve Forces Act 1980 and 1996 become regular members of the RAF for the duration of the recall and receive pay relative to their rank and seniority. Members of the volunteer reserves, comprising the Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR) and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), receive attendance pay for the occasions they attend training, based on rank and experience.

The eligibility for reserve service of RAF personnel made redundant in the last 12 months depends on individual circumstances. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Ministers in his Department have received any representations on technical difficulties associated with converting the aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration; from whom any such representations were received; and when they were received.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations regarding technical difficulties associated with converting the operational Queen Elizabeth Aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether UK service personnel have served in the US to gain experience of handling and flying catapult-assisted take-off barrier arrested recovery aircraft;

(2) what the cost to the public purse has been of sending individuals to the US to gain experience of handling and flying catapult-assisted take-off barrier arrested recovery aircraft;

(3) how many (a) pilots, (b) service personnel and (c) civilian personnel have been trained to operate the catapult and arrestor gear as part of the conversion of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review;

(4) how much his Department has spent on training individuals to handle and fly CATOBAR aircraft.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 26 March 2012

Two Royal Navy personnel from the aircraft handling specialisation have previously undertaken preliminary training with the United States Navy in the operation of catapult and arrestor gear aircraft operations. Seven Royal Navy pilots have also been trained to operate US Navy aircraft utilising catapult and arrestor gear, as part of the training programme for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. No Royal Air Force or civilian personnel have taken part in such training programmes.

The costs associated with this training are currently being collated and I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as they are available.

Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Jim Murphy:

In my answer to your Parliamentary Question dated 23 April 2012 (Official Report, column 716W) about the training of Service personnel on aircraft carriers, I undertook to write to you about costs as soon as the information was collated. I regret that it has not been possible to compile the information in the time allowed before prorogation, but I will write to you as soon as it is available.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which fast jets operated by other nations will be able to land and take off from a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier operating STOVL.

Answer

Gerald Howarth (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (International Security Strategy), Defence; Aldershot, Conservative)

Based on the analysis undertaken prior to the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which the US Marine Corps and Italy plan to acquire, would be able to land and take off from a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier operating STOVL.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to restore carrier strike capability.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

As we announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, it is the Government’s intention to restore a Carrier Strike Capability around 2020.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the number and names of aircraft carriers operated by other nations that the (a) Hornet fast jet, (b) F35B and (c) Rafale fast jet is able to land on and take off from with a full weapon load.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

The Ministry of Defence is only able to comment on the current position in relation to carrier-based operations by other nations rather than the technical specifications of other nations’ capabilities. As of the end of February, the US Navy operates the Hornet from the Nimitz Class aircraft carriers; the F35B has operated from USS Wasp. The United States Marine Corps also intends to fly the F35B from United States Marine Corps decks. Italy is part of the F35B international programme, and intends to embark the aircraft on the Portaerei Cavour. Rafale operates from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

 

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department holds information on (a) serving forces couples and (b) serving forces couples who are deployed at the same time.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 26 April 2012

We hold some information on legally recognised service couples for the purposes of determining entitlement to some allowances, and liability for dependent children, as well as providing emergency contact information. It can also be used by service manning authorities when re-assigning individuals to allow for collocation at a new duty station.

Service partners are able to deploy together provided that the operational effectiveness of the unit is not affected.

 

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the home base or headquarters is of each (a) Army regiment, (b) naval unit (excluding naval vessels) and (c) Royal Air Force group.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

Due to the number of establishments involved, this will take some time to compile. Once complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the information in the Library of the House.

Substantive reply from Andrew Robathan to Bridget Phillipson:

In my answer to your Parliamentary Question dated 23 April 2012 (Official Report, column 716W) about the location of Armed Forces bases or headquarters, I undertook to write to you as soon as the information was compiled. I regret that it has not been possible to compile the information in the time allowed before prorogation, but I will write to you as soon as it is available.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals he expects will benefit from 100 per cent council tax relief for members of the armed forces deployed on operations in the next year.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

As the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend Mr Osborne, announced in the House on 21 March 2012, Hansard, column 796, council tax relief doubled with effect from April 2012 to just under £600 for an average six-month deployment. Currently, this relief is paid to around 9,500 individuals per annum.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether his Department has changed the eligibility criteria for the family welfare grant since March 2012;

(2) how many individuals he expects to be eligible for the changes in the Budget 2012 to the family welfare grant.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

There has been no change to the eligibility criteria for the family welfare grant (FWG) since March 2012. The grant is not paid to individuals, but is made available to the commanding officers of units whose personnel have deployed. The announcement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend Mr Osborne, in his recent Budget doubles the amount which can be claimed for each family. Current levels of deployment mean that the FWG benefits over 30,000 families per year, and the doubling of the grant represents the allocation of an additional £2 million per year.

 

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what steps his Department has taken to support armed forces couples with children (a) during deployment and (b) at other times since May 2010;

(2) what steps his Department plans to take to support armed forces couples with children (a) during deployment and (b) at other times.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer 26 April 2012

Welfare support to families is a key contributor to operational effectiveness and is provided to the same level whether they are a service couple or not. However, we will, when circumstances allow, deconflict a deployment in order to maintain a family unit.

The armed forces have long-standing welfare structures in place to support families. We continually review that support to identify where it can be further improved, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget of 21 March 2012, Hansard, column 796, a number of measures to support service families, including the allocation of an additional £2 million to double the rate of the Families Welfare Grant. This is available to commanding officers, to use as they see fit on activities for the families of those deployed.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding his Department has allocated for the change announced in Budget 2012 to the Family Welfare Grant in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

As announced in 2012 Budget, the Treasury has provided the Ministry of Defence with around £2 million per financial year to cover the cost of doubling the Family Welfare Grant.

 

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with police forces local to RAF, Army and Royal Navy bases about the investigation of crimes on those bases; what protocols have been established for the conduct of investigations; and if she will make a statement.

Answer

Nick Herbert (Minister of State, Justice; Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)

No such discussions have taken place.

Two protocols exist between the Ministry of Defence and the Association of Chief Police Officers that cover the investigation of crimes at Defence establishments. Responsibility for the investigation of defence-related crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is detailed in a memorandum of understanding between the Association of Chief Police Officers and the MOD dated 6 January 2008 that was communicated under cover of Home Office circular 028/2008, which will be placed in the House Library. A separate protocol providing Guidance on the Investigation of Deaths on land or premises owned, occupied or under the control of the Ministry of Defence was signed in January 2008. Both documents are currently being reviewed.

 

 

Question

Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry, DUP)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the Australian decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan earlier than planned on the stated timetable for withdrawal.

Answer

Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)

The Australian Prime Minister’s comments do not represent a shift in Australian or ISAF policy. Her suggestion that Australia will be able to draw down some of its forces once the Afghans have assumed full security responsibility in Uruzgan is in line with the strategy agreed by international partners at the Lisbon Summit in 2010.

As the transition process continues, international forces are gradually handing over security responsibility to the Afghans. The UK and other ISAF nations will realise force dividends in the run-up to the transition process to be complete at the end of 2014. These will be made in a co-ordinated and cohesive manner and will be aligned with the strategy agreed at the NATO Lisbon Summit. In accordance with this principle, I announced to the House on 26 April 2012, Hansard, columns 1117-1119, the detail on how we will draw down our force levels by 500 this year. All ISAF partners, including Australia, remain committed to helping the Afghans provide their national security until the Afghans take over full security responsibility across the country by the end of 2014.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of NATO on the protection and safety of NATO non-combat personnel in Afghanistan after 2014.

Answer

Gerald Howarth (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (International Security Strategy), Defence; Aldershot, Conservative)

Ministers and officials within the Ministry of Defence, have regular discussions with NATO on a range of issues including both the and NATO’s post 2014 role in Afghanistan.

By the end of 2014, UK forces will not be serving in Afghanistan in a combat role as a result of which the number of British troops will be substantially reduced from their current force levels. However, we are clear that our long-term commitment to Afghanistan will last beyond the end of our combat role. As part of our enduring legacy, UK troops will continue to support the development of the Afghan National Security Forces by providing training at the new Afghan National Army Officer Academy.

The safety and wellbeing of our forces is at the forefront of our military strategy. We will continue to work with other ISAF nations and the Afghan Government to ensure that necessary force protection measures are in place for our military personnel still serving in Afghanistan after 2014.

 

 

Question

 

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which nations carrier strike capability with a STOVL configuration is interoperable.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what contracts have been awarded by his Department relating exclusively to the conversion of the aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration since May 2010; and what the value was of each contract;

(2) what items have been ordered by his Department relating exclusively to the conversion of the aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration since May 2010; and what the value was of each item;

(3) how much his Department has spent on feasibility studies on conversion of the aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration since May 2010;

(4) how much his Department has spent on preparation for the installation of catapult and arrestor gear to (a) the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier and (b) the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier since May 2010.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether his Department has issued new guidance on (a) contact between members of the armed forces and parliamentarians and (b) sanctions for any individual found guilty of leaking information;

(2) what his Department’s policy is on sanctions individuals found guilty of leaking information would face.

Answer

Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)

In relation to contact between members of the armed forces and parliamentarians, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 March 2012, Hansard, columns 1050-51W. In relation to the unauthorised disclosure of information, the Ministry of Defence has recently issued guidance reminding staff of their obligations to protect classified and other sensitive information. A variety of sanctions exists for individuals who disclose such information without authorisation, depending on the severity of the offence. These range from internal disciplinary or administrative action, to dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the E-3D Sentry will have in monitoring the airspace around London during the Olympics.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

The E-3D Sentry will contribute to the overall radar coverage of the prohibited and restricted airspace during specific periods of the Olympic games as part of a layered approach to enhance radar coverage when required.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the level of savings which will accrue from reductions in (a) civilian and (b) armed forces’ allowances in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period; and what estimate he has made of total expenditure on (i) civilian and (ii) armed forces allowances in each of those years.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer22 February 2012

As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, our aim remains to deliver a reduction of £300 million a year by 2015.

 

 

Question

Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many former members of the Armed Forces have entered the teaching profession since November 2010.

Answer

Nick Gibb (Minister of State (Schools), Education; Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)

holding answer23 April 2012

The Department for Education does not hold details of the former careers of individuals entering the teaching profession. We cannot, therefore, provide information on how many members of the armed forces have entered the teaching profession since November 2010.

We have worked closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Teaching Agency on ways to bring more service leavers into the teaching profession. Since March 2011, 195 service leavers have applied for initial teacher training courses, which is significantly higher than the 40 to 50 we would normally expect to receive. Further to this, we allocated 50 additional places on the Graduate Teacher programme, to commence from September 2012, which will be available exclusively to service leavers.

We are also in the process of developing a high quality, employment based training programme, which will form a key part of troops to teachers. This will aim to recruit the most talented service leavers and place them where they can really make a difference in the schools that most need them. We will announce further details later this year.

 

 

Question

Lord Moonie (Labour)

To ask what research and development they are undertaking on unmanned carrier-launched surveillance and strike aircraft.

Answer

Lord Astor of Hever (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defence; Conservative)

The Government have an ‘unmanned air systems (UAS) research and development pipeline’ within the defence science and technology programme that examines a range of uses of UAS, including some in the naval environment.

 

 

Question

Lord Moonie (Labour)

To ask what discussions they have had with the Government of the United States or Northrop Grumman Corporation about the X-47B unmanned combat air programme.

Answer

Lord Astor of Hever (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defence; Conservative)

The Ministry of Defence has held an initial scoping discussion with the United States Government on the X-47B unmanned combat air programme. Northrop Grumman Corporation has not been involved.

 

 

Question

Lord Moonie (Labour)

To ask what assessment they have made of the export potential for Brimstone 2 or dual-mode seeker missiles.

Answer

Lord Astor of Hever (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defence; Conservative)

With support from the UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) and industry, the Ministry of Defence undertook an assessment of the export potential of Brimstone 2 and dual-mode seeker Brimstone (DMSB) in 2010. This has continued to be refined in the light of more developments, including the successful performance of the DMSB weapon in recent operations. These assessments have identified a number of potential export sales opportunities.

 

 

Question

Lord West of Spithead (Labour)

To ask , further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 23 April (WA 293), what will be the cost to the Ministry of Defence between 2013 and 2020 of the terms of business agreement between the Government and BAE Systems Maritime-Naval Ships, and what will be its impact on shipbuilding work in United Kingdom shipyards.

Answer

Lord Astor of Hever (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defence; Conservative)

The terms of business agreement (TOBA) signed between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships (BAES MNS) in July 2009 includes a commitment to sustain a minimum level of key industrial capabilities in the areas of shipbuilding and support for complex warships, which will meet the future needs of the Royal Navy. The total cost to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the TOBA will, however, depend on what work is awarded to BAES MNS over the duration of the agreement. In return, the company has committed to the transformation of the sector into a world-class sustainable entity for the future with major financial benefits to the MoD.

 

 

Question

Stephen Pound (Ealing North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future use of HMS Caroline.

Answer

Hugo Swire (Minister of State, Northern Ireland; East Devon, Conservative)

I have discussed the future of HMS Caroline with the Minister for the Armed Forces, Nick Harvey. I have also held discussions about HMS Caroline with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and offered my support to the Executive’s plans to safeguard its future in Belfast.

 

 

Statement

Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)

I wish to clarify answers that I gave in response to questions from Mike Gapes and my hon. Friend Tony Baldry as printed in the Official Report ,26 April 2012, columns 1124 and 1130 respectively.

Column 1124

Mike Gapes asked the following:

In 2014 or 2015 when our combat role has ended, who will provide force protection for our trainers?

The final sentences of my response should have been:

The Afghan national officer training academy is being built within the perimeter of an Afghan facility, the perimeter of which will be defended by Afghan troops.

Inside this Afghan National Army perimeter, UK personnel based at the Academy will operate from within a coalition force Operating Base, and will therefore be protected by UK or coalition military personnel.

Column 1130

Myhon. Friend Tony Baldry asked the following:

Because of the need to balance the Ministry of Defence budget, a number of service personnel will be made redundant later this year, including, I suspect, a number who have recently returned from Afghanistan and a number based in my constituency with the Royal Logistic Corps. However, those people have skills that are much sought after by local employers, so will my right hon. Friend ensure that MOD officials work with the local community to set up a social enterprise to ensure that the skills of the service personnel who are made redundant are made known to local employers as swiftly as possible, and so that as many of those skills and those people can be brought into the local labour market as swiftly and speedily as possible?

The first sentences of my response should have been:

Exemption from redundancy extends to anyone who is within six months of deploying to Afghanistan, is on operations, or is on their Post Operational Leave or any accrued Operational Rest and Recuperation.

Therefore, the majority of service personnel would be exempt from compulsory redundancy for a period of between four and seven weeks after returning from operations in Afghanistan.

I apologise to the House for the errors in my original answers.