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.
Contents
Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he first became aware of AgustaWestland’s plan to move production of the Sea King Integrated Operational Support contract and the Lynx In-Service Support Agreement contract from Vector Aerospace to the AgustaWestland plant in Yeovil.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
holding answer19 June 2012
Defence Ministers were first notified of AgustaWestland’s intent not to renew Vector Aerospace’s sub-contracts for support of Lynx and Sea King helicopters in November 2011.
Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the BvS Viking armoured all-terrain tracked vehicles have been withdrawn from frontline use by the Royal Marines.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
The Viking protected all-terrain vehicle was deployed successfully on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Viking was gradually withdrawn from frontline use and replaced by the Warthog vehicle which was designed specifically for use in Afghanistan.
Subsequent removal of the upgrades fitted for Op Herrick and close inspection of the vehicles identified that, as a result of the demanding deployment in Afghanistan, which required payloads in excess of the original design parameters, the vehicles have experienced accelerated mechanical fatigue compromising the structural integrity and safe operation of the vehicle.
At present, they cannot be operated in a manner which complies with the Department’s legislative safety obligations and have been withdrawn from use by the Royal Marines until such a time as the vehicles have been regenerated.
James Gray (North Wiltshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF engineers are currently temporarily housed at hotels near Marshalls of Cambridge; and what the cost of all such accommodation is.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
As at 15 June 2012, there were two RAF engineers in hotel accommodation temporarily at a cost of £90 per person per night.
Jessica Lee (Erewash, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his contribution of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 275, on Defence Budget and Transformation, what the total cost overrun is incurred to date by The Chemring Group on contracts with his Department.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
There have been no cost overruns incurred by the Chemring Group on current contracts with the Ministry of Defence.
Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) aircraft towing tractors, (b) aircraft lighting trucks, (c) air charging equipment and (d) air compressors of each type are permanently based at each location in Scotland.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
The information requested is shown in the following table:
| Equipment type | Number | Location | |
| Aircraft Towing Tractors | Medium Aircraft Tow Tractors | 24 | RAF Lossiemouth x 15 |
| RAF Leuchars x 7 | |||
| RNAS Gannet x 2 | |||
| Large Aircraft Tow Tractors | 2 | RAF Lossiemouth x 1 |
| RAF Leuchars x 1 | |||
| Aircraft Lighting Trucks | HY-LITE MK2 Mobile Floodlights | 4 | RAF Lossiemouth x 2 |
| RAF Leuchars x 1 | |||
| RNAS Gannet x 1 | |||
| Air Charging Equipment | Four Cylinder Breathing Air Charging Trolley MK3 | 5 | RAF Lossiemouth x 3 |
| RAF Leuchars x 1 | |||
| RNAS Gannet x 1 | |||
| Air Compressors | General Purpose Air Compressor | 15 | RAF Lossiemouth x 7 |
| RAF Leuchars x 7 | |||
| RNAS Gannet x 1 | |||
| Lightweight Tactical Air Compressor | 4 | RAF Lossiemouth x 4 |
For the purpose of answering this question equipment has been defined as that used in support of aircraft operations. This equipment is managed to meet operational needs and can be moved for operational purposes should the need arise. The UK Defence footprint is organised, resourced and managed on a national basis to meet operational needs.
Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the delivery of the Extended Assessment Phase for Cipher.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
The currently approved total cost of completing the Extended Assessment Phase for CIPHER is £44 million.
Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of contracts issued by his Department were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in 2011-12; and what proportion this represented of the monetary value of contracts awarded by his Department in 2011-12.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
During the financial year 2011-12, approximately 41% of new contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises. This represented approximately 13% of the value of all new contracts placed in the year.
John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 77WS, on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, what recent assessment he has made of the proportion of the Royal Navy’s budget that will be used to fund the procurement of (a) versatile Type 26 frigates and (b) successor submarines; and how many vessels he expects to be procured in each case. [R]
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
Procurement of new equipment projects, including the Type 26 frigate and the successor deterrent, is funded from the equipment procurement plan, which is held and managed centrally. As such, none of Navy Command’s budget will be used to fund those projects.
The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) current planning assumption is for the construction of 13 Type 26 Global Combat Ships (GCS). The Type 26 GCS programme is currently in its assessment phase, with the results of this phase expected by the middle of this decade.
The Strategic Defence and Security Review included a detailed review of the successor deterrent programme and announced a deferral of the Main Gate approval point to 2016, at which point a decision will be made on whether three or four boats will be built.
James Gray (North Wiltshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hercules transport aeroplanes are currently at Marshalls of Cambridge.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
There are currently eight Hercules aircraft at Marshalls of Cambridge.
James Gray (North Wiltshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) C130-Js and (b) C130-Ks remain in the RAF fleet; and how many such aeroplanes are (i) on operation, (ii) in hangars at RAF Brize Norton and (iii) elsewhere.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
The information is provided in the following table and is correct as of15 June 2012:
| Hercules C130J | Hercules CI30K | |
| In-service fleet | 24 | 8 |
| Enduring Operations | 5 | 1 |
| In hangars at RAF Brize Norton(1) | 2 | 1 |
| Elsewhere | 17 | 6 |
| (1) The number of aircraft in a hangar at RAF Brize Norton will change on a regular basis and depend on the number of aircraft requiring maintenance, the extent of the maintenance or the preparation required for a specific task. | ||
Margaret Curran (Glasgow East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) what correspondence (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the Scottish Government on the potential consequences of Scotland leaving the UK; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such correspondence;
(2) what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with Scottish Government Ministers or officials on the potential consequences of Scotland leaving the UK.
Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
Defence Ministers, officials and I have had no discussions with the Scottish Government on the consequences of Scotland leaving the UK. The Government’s position on this is clear: Scotland is stronger as part of the UK and the UK is stronger with Scotland in it. The Government is not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the United Kingdom in any referendum.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) what role Ministers in his Department have in determining the focus and outcomes of community covenant schemes;
(2) how many community covenant schemes have measures within them which aim to tackle or prevent discrimination against the service community.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer19 June 2012
I am encouraged by the success of the Armed Forces Community Covenant scheme. To date more than 50 Community Covenants have been signed and more than 50 are pending.
Community Covenants are voluntary statements of mutual support between the civilian community and its local armed forces community, in the form of a written pledge. Usually these local partnerships are made between the armed forces in an area and the local authority, joined by local business, organisations, charities and other public bodies as appropriate.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Local Government Association hosted a successful Community Covenant Conference on1 November 2011 for local authorities in England, which was attended by 150 delegates including representatives from the armed forces community and voluntary and charitable sector. This was an opportunity to share best practice and encourage further local authorities to participate in the scheme. The strong interest from delegates demonstrated the importance that local authorities are placing on this work. Similar events are expected to be held in Wales and Scotland later this year.
Guidance is provided on the MOD website about the form that a Community Covenant might take. However, the contents of a particular Community Covenant are entirely a matter for the parties concerned.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on protecting the service community from discrimination in each of the last five years.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer18 June 2012
This information is not held in the format requested.
The Armed Forces Covenant enshrined in law by this Government sets out the principles that those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.
Any discrimination against members of the armed forces community is to be abhorred, and we will continue to be alert to any cases which are brought to our attention.
When discrimination is experienced, the chain of command, at a local level, will work closely with the civil police or other bodies as appropriate to address the problem.
Mary Glindon (North Tyneside, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to monitor the incidences of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst serving and former soldiers.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Kelvin Hopkins on 12 June 2012, Hansard, column 448W.
The Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) publishes the “UK Armed Forces Mental Health Report” four times a year, which includes the numbers of patients attending a Ministry of Defence Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) who were initially assessed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The latest report, for the period1 October to31 December 2011, was published on3 April 2012, and can be found on the DASA website,
www.dasa.mod.uk
under “Other Publications” and “Health/Medical Statistics”.
Ex-Service personnel who require treatment for PTSD will receive it through their local NHS provider, and no central record is maintained of the numbers diagnosed with the condition. However, we continue to work closely with the Department of Health to improve the whole range of mental health care available to ex-service personnel.
Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made an assessment of the incidence of (a) post-traumatic stress disorder and (b) depression arising from (i) rape and (ii) sexual assault amongst members of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
While every effort is made to provide support to victims of rape and sexual assault among members of the armed forces, it is not possible, from the information available, to determine the incidence of post traumatic stress disorder or depression.
Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of (a) rape and (b) sexual assault were reported by members of the armed forces in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
All allegations of rape and sexual assault made by members of the armed forces will be thoroughly investigated by either the civil or service police, depending upon who has jurisdiction. The number of cases of rape and sexual assault reported by members of the armed forces to the service police in each of the last three years is shown in the following table:
| Rape | Sexual assault | |
| 2010 | 25 | 41 |
| 2011 | 18 | 36 |
| 2012—14 June 2012 | 10 | 9 |
We do not hold details of cases investigated by the civilian police.
Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) pursuant to his oral statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-64, what rate of inflation was assumed in his Department’s assessment of a 1 per cent annual increase from 2015 to the equipment and equipment support budget;
(2) what assessment he has made of the rate of inflation in the defence sector;
(3) what rate of inflation was used as a basis for the conclusions of PR12.
Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
The 1% real annual uplift in equipment and equipment support spend was first announced by the former Secretary of State for Defence on 18 July 2012. It referred to an agreement that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had reached with the HM Treasury on how much the Department could assume was available for planning purposes.
The inflation figure underpinning that agreement, and the planning assumption in Planning Round 12, was based on the GDP deflator forecast produced by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility. At the beginning of Planning Round 12 this was 2.5% for financial year (FY) 2012-13, and 2.7% for subsequent years.
Defence inflation stood at 4.2% in FY 2010-11, the latest year for which figures are available. The annual average was 3.8% over the period from FY 2005-06 to FY 2010-11.
The difference between defence inflation (the rate of cost growth of commodities purchased by the MOD) and the GDP deflator is already accounted for in our planning processes.
Philip Davies (Shipley, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army (a) officers and (b) other ranks have received the Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The number of Territorial Army officers and other ranks who have been issued with the Queens’ Diamond Jubilee Medal to date is 9,269. Of those, 2,145 were officers and 7,124 were other ranks.
Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots will be involved in the sea trials of the F35b aircraft.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
We anticipate that initially a total of three or four UK test pilots will be involved in the first sea trials of the F35B aircraft with additional operational pilots becoming involved as the programme progresses. Final decisions will be taken nearer the time.
Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the Strategic Defence and Security Review, what steps he plans to take to manage the transition within Combat Air capability from Tornado to Typhoon and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft; when he expects the Tornado to reach its out of service date; and what basing assumptions he has made for the Joint Strike Fighter and Typhoon.
Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)
holding answer21 June 2012
As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), we plan to have a fast jet fleet based around two types of modern and capable multi-role aircraft.
We are reviewing, as part of normal business, how we intend to manage the transition between Tornado, Typhoon and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
We plan to run down the Tornado force broadly in line with the build up of the Typhoon force, and the introduction of the JSF at the end of the decade. This will ensure we retain the operational capability we require.
For planning purposes, the assumed out of service date for Tornado is 2019, but no firm decisions need to be taken before the next SDSR in 2015. As previously announced, we plan to transfer the Typhoon Squadrons currently at RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth and maintain Typhoons at RAF Coningsby. Decisions on JSF basing will be made in due course.
Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on improving and increasing interoperability within NATO.
Philip Hammond (Secretary of State, Transport; Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
holding answer19 June 2012
Improving interoperability, both between NATO allies and with non-NATO partners, was one of my priorities in the discussions I had with my NATO counterparts in both the run-up to NATO’s Chicago summit in May 2012, and at the summit itself. An important element of the Defence package endorsed at Chicago was the Connected Forces initiative, which aims to consolidate and build upon interoperability gains by focusing on expanding education, training and exercises (and their validation).
Ian Austin (Dudley North, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) which (a) Ministers in his Department, (b) civil servants in his Department and (c) members of the armed forces will attend the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park on 28 June 2012;
(2) which (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants will be attending the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park on 28 June 2012.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
There is no specific allocation of tickets for Ministry of Defence officials as this is a Bomber Command Association event.
The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, the Minister for International Security Strategy and the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans have been invited and will attend the unveiling of the Memorial.
Approximately 200 Royal Air Force personnel will be directly supporting the event in a number of different roles.
The additional number of members of the Armed Forces and civil servants who have been allocated tickets by the Bomber Command Association is not available, as this information is not held centrally by the Ministry of Defence.
Ian Austin (Dudley North, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will request the Bomber Command Association to invite Freddie Johnson, Bomber Command veteran, to attend the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park on 28 June 2012.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The allocation of tickets for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial is being co-ordinated entirely by the Bomber Command Association.
I can however confirm that the Bomber Command Association have already been in contact with Mr Johnson’s family regarding his attendance at the unveiling on28 June 2012.
Bob Russell (Colchester, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the authorised personnel strength was of 16 Air Assault Brigade on (a) 31 May 2010 and (b) 31 May 2012; and what it will be once those named in June 2012 as being made redundant have left HM Armed Forces.
Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
The most recent data available shows that as at1 April 2012the authorised establishment for 16 Air Assault Brigade was 7,160 personnel.
Details of authorised unit personnel establishments are not maintained retrospectively and are not held in central records.
It is not possible to say what the future establishment of the Brigade will be as this is dependent on the outcome of the Army’s study into its future structure which will be announced as soon as decisions have been made.
Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Hall Green, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attacks made by unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) have taken place in Afghanistan in the last three years; where each such UAV was made; and how many civilian casualties there were as a result of each attack.
Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
In the last three years to 19 June 2012, 176 strikes have been carried out by UK Reaper unmanned air vehicles (UAV) in Afghanistan. Reaper is the only UK UAV which carries weapons. I cannot comment on UAVs or strikes by other nations. Reaper is acquired, supported and armed through the US government. The prime contractor to the US government for the construction of Reaper is General Atomics—Aeronautical Systems Inc., based in California. The UK takes every reasonable measure to avoid civilian casualties. I am aware of only one incident where individuals not classified as insurgents were killed by a UK Reaper UAV. The incident took place on 25 March 2011 and resulted in the death of four civilians in addition to two insurgents. An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) investigation was carried out and concluded that the actions of the Reaper crew had been in accordance with extant procedures and ISAF rules of engagement.
Roger Godsiff (Birmingham, Hall Green, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish documents held by his Department relating to the investigation into a British drone strike that led to Afghan civilian fatalities on 25 March 2011; and if he will make a statement.
Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
Any incident involving civilian casualties is a matter of deep regret and we take every possible measure to avoid such incidents. We have strict procedures, frequently updated in the light of experience, intended both to minimise the risk of casualties occurring and to investigate any alleged incidents. The incident of 25 March 2011is the only one in which civilian fatalities are known to have resulted from a UK Reaper strike. A UK Reaper, operating in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces, was tasked to engage and destroy two pick-up trucks. The strike resulted in the deaths of two insurgents and the destruction of a significant quantity of explosives being carried on the trucks. Sadly, four Afghan civilians were also killed and a further two Afghan civilians were injured. A joint ISAF-Afghan investigation was conducted to establish if any lessons could be learned or if errors in operational procedures could be identified. The report concluded that the actions of the Reaper crew had been in accordance with ISAF procedures and rules of engagement. I am withholding the report as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision not to fit catapult and arrestor technology to Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers on the prospects for Joint Maritime Task Groups.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
I refer the right hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, on 10 May 2012, Hansard, columns 140-42. Announcing the decision to switch the planned order for Joint Strike Fighter aircraft from Carrier Varriant to Short-take-off and Vertical Landing, he made clear that a focus on joint maritime task groups ensuring carrier availability, rather than cross-deck operations is the appropriate route to optimising alliance
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the time limits are for investigating a service redress of complaint at the first level of investigation.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
Service complaints are categorised in accordance with their complexity. The time limit for less complex complaints is set at 60 days for the first level, and for more complex complaints, it is set at 120 days.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions Ministers in his Department have had with (a) mobile telephone suppliers and (b) mortgage lenders on tackling discrimination against service people; and what the outcome was of any such discussions.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer21 June 2012
The Government has worked closely with credit reference agencies and other partners, including the Royal Mail, to help us to improve financial capability among service personnel and to address the difficulties faced by those with a history of rapidly changing or British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses. Through the Home Finance Forum, work has been undertaken to introduce a new system for handling credit rating assessments for those with a BFPO address.
We have agreement with The UK Cards Association, the British Bankers’ Association, the Finance and Leasing Association the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Societies Association for them to take account of the circumstances of service personnel in order to avoid disadvantage.
Service personnel facing credit rating difficulties because of periods of time spent abroad should approach prospective mortgage lenders and/or prospective landlords or letting agents to instruct their credit reference checking agencies to undertake a manual check of the individual’s circumstances, rather than an automated one.
A technical solution has been developed by the BFPO, in conjunction with Royal Mail, which will allow the allocation of a ‘shadow postcode’ against a BFPO address. As well as helping to overcome credit rating difficulties for those with periods of living abroad, this will better enable individuals to access online retail and other financial services and will allow the completion of Government online forms. The new BFPO shadow postcodes were released in April 2012.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions Ministers in his Department have had with insurers on tackling discrimination against veterans in the workplace; and what the outcome was of any such discussions.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer21 June 2012
The Ministry of Defence encourages all employers to value the skills and experience which former service personnel can bring to the workplace.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Army’s guidelines are on bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
The Army seeks to promote equality of opportunity for all personnel. It has a zero tolerance policy on bullying, harassment and discrimination and seeks to provide an inclusive environment for all and to ensure respect for others.
Clear policy and guidance is provided at all levels of the chain of command through the Army’s equality and diversity (E&D) directives, E&D training and through briefings to personnel. Those who are found to fall short of the standards and behaviours expected are dealt with appropriately by their commanders by way of administrative or disciplinary action.
Individuals who feel they are experiencing any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination can seek assistance and support from their unit E&D adviser, the Army Welfare Service and the Chaplaincy Service including the provision of chaplaincy support for the five main non-Christian faiths. Alternatively they can contact the Army’s bullying, harassment and discrimination helpline, which has been set up independently of the chain of command. If an individual wishes to make a formal complaint they may do so through the Service Complaints system or externally through the Service Complaints Commissioner’s office.
Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on fees for civilian harassment case officers investigating service redress of complaints in the latest period for which figures are available.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
For the FY 2011-12 the Ministry of Defence spent in the region of £82,000 for civilian harassment case officers investigating service complaints.
Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff regarded to be suitably qualified and experienced personnel for work at defence munitions sites have left such employment at each such site in each of the last two years.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The statistics held by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on staff who have left Defence Munitions sites do not provide sufficient detail to identify the skills of those individuals who have left. The following table therefore identifies all civilian staff who have left Defence Munitions sites, irrespective of their qualifications and experience. The statistics do not include military personnel who were, in most instances, posted to new appointments elsewhere in the MOD. Over the same periods, 130 civilian staff joined Defence Munitions (statistics gathered on the same basis as for those who have left).
| Site | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | Totals |
| Beith | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Crombie | 2 | 18 | 20 |
| Glen Douglas | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Gosport | 21 | 24 | 45 |
| Kineton | 19 | 14 | 33 |
| Plymouth | 13 | 23 | 36 |
| Longtown | 11 | 13 | 24 |
| Wulfen | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other sites (including HQs) | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Totals | 85 | 128 | 213 |
Simon Reevell (Dewsbury, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions his Department has sought to recover advance payments of salary from the families of service personnel killed on active service since 2000.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
We never ask families of those killed in service to pay money back. Our aim is always to ensure families receive the right amount of money as quickly as possible and to conduct a reconciliation of their pay accounts as soon as all the information becomes available to us.
We do not collect any money from the families of deceased service personnel, but we do adjust future payments to ensure families are paid all monies to which they are entitled.
Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government is planning to make any retrospective changes to public service pensions for serving armed forces personnel; and whether the consent of such personnel is required before they enter into new pension arrangements.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
It has been the policy of successive Governments not to make retrospective changes to public sector pensions. The new Armed Forces Pension Scheme, currently under consultation, is no exception to this. There are no plans to make any retrospective changes to service pensions for serving armed forces personnel.
The consent of service personnel is not required before they enter into new pension arrangements because the Government will introduce a Public Services Pensions Bill, as soon as parliamentary time allows, which will replace existing schemes with new public service schemes to be in place from 2015.
Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether changes to public service pensions will affect only new entrants into the armed forces; and what his policy is on applying such changes to existing service personnel.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
Changes to public service pensions will affect all individuals who are actively serving in the armed forces when the new pension schemes are introduced in 2015, unless they are covered by transitional protection. This protection means that those individuals who were within 10 years of their scheme’s normal pension age on1 April 2012will not have to join the new pension scheme and will be unaffected by the changes.
These changes are in accordance with the Government’s acceptance of the recommendations of Lord Hutton’s Independent Public Service Pensions Commission as a basis for consultation with public service workers.
Mary Glindon (North Tyneside, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst serving and former soldiers;
(2) how many soldiers who are on operational duties he estimates suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder; and what steps he has put in place to offer such soldiers assistance.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
h olding answer 25 June 2012
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2012, Hansard, column 447W, to Kelvin Hopkins.
The Ministry of Defence takes the issue of mental health very seriously, and we recognise that operational deployments will inevitably expose personnel to stressful experiences. The psychological welfare of troops (which covers general wellbeing as well as mental health) is a fundamental chain of command responsibility, and personnel benefit greatly, in terms of mental health, by being within well led units with good support from their colleagues.
Measures are in place to increase awareness at all levels and to mitigate the development of operational stresses. Primary preventative measures include selection for fitness at recruitment, provision of good leadership, and robust training for all personnel. Secondary preventative measures include psycho-education, use of Trauma Risk Management (TRiM), and post-operational stress management, all of which aim at early detection of problems. Unit-based non-healthcare professionals such as chaplains, TRiM practitioners and welfare staff also have a vital role in supporting the chain of command in maintaining a good state of mental health among unit personnel and in signposting those in need of treatment to the Defence Medical Services. The families of returning personnel are also offered advice on the possible after-effects of an operational deployment.
Another key aim is to reduce the stigma that is sometimes attached to mental illness, which is an issue in the civilian world as well as the armed forces. This is being actively addressed through such programmes as the Army’s ‘Don’t Bottle It Up’ campaign, and in the deployment briefings provided to personnel and their families. By encouraging people to come forward as soon as they begin to feel ill, we can provide treatment at an early stage and hopefully prevent the illness developing further or recurring at a later date, including after they have left the armed forces.
Personnel leaving the armed forces are given advice on seeking help at an early stage if they have concerns about their mental health. The MOD and Department of Health are working together to improve the mental health care provided to ex-service personnel and veterans’ mental health is an area which has received significant attention from this Government in the past two years. Following the publication of Dr Andrew Murrison’s report ‘Fighting Fit’, the Government pledged £1.8 million per annum for the remainder of the spending review period to implement its recommendations. Much work has already been completed, such as the launch of a 24-hour veterans telephone helpline, a trial of the online wellbeing service ‘Big White Wall’ and an e-learning package for NHS general practitioners to familiarise themselves with veteran-specific health problems.
There has been an uplift in the number of mental health professionals conducting veterans outreach work, from 15 to 30. In addition, the number of professionals working for Combat Stress in partnership with the NHS takes this total to nearer 50. Plans are in place to establish a national veterans’ mental health clinical network.
Furthermore, each of the 10 armed forces networks (based geographically in the old strategic health authority areas) has received £150,000 from the Department of Health with which to build up enhanced community veterans’ mental health services in their areas. These services are now up and running in almost every region with the remainder planned to come on line by the end of this calendar year. These services were developed in conjunction with local groups, for the local population
Richard Drax (South Dorset, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any soldiers have been made redundant before qualifying for a full pension.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
In order to ensure that the redundancy programme is fair to all involved, clear selection criteria have been published by each of the services. While rank and seniority are factors which are reflected in selection fields, length of reckonable service, which is closely associated with age, is not.
While we do not comment on specific personal cases, some soldiers will leave on redundancy before qualifying for a full pension. The Armed Forces Redundancy Schemes pay larger tax free redundancy compensation lump sums to those who narrowly miss out on immediate incomes than they do to those who qualify, and many of those who leave before qualifying are likely to have been applicants for redundancy.
Whereas the majority of other ranks normally have to serve for 22 years before receiving an immediate income, the Armed Forces Redundancy Schemes reduce this requirement to 18 years. This concession of four years will enable many redundees to receive an immediate income for which they would otherwise not have qualified.
Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on redundancy payments for armed forces personnel in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The total amounts the Ministry of Defence has spent on redundancy payments for armed forces personnel in 2010, 2011 and 2012, are shown in the following table:
| Financial year | Total (£) |
| 2010-11 | 0 |
| 2011-12 | 47,756,282 |
| 2012-13 as at 31 May 2012 | 20,146,174 |
| Total | 67,902,456 |
Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many allegations of rape made by members of the armed forces concluded with charges being (a) brought and (b) dropped in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
The following table details the number of allegations of rape referred to the service prosecuting authority by the service police, the number of cases where charges have been directed for trial (brought) and the number of cases not directed for trial since the start of 2010:
| Number | |||
| Allegations referred | Cases where charges are directed for trial | Cases not directed For trial | |
| 2010 | 21 | 9 | 11 |
| 2011 | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| 2012 (to 19 June) | 7 | 3 | 0 |
Allegations referred in any one year are not necessarily tried, or directed for trial in the same year, hence the apparent mathematical irregularities in the table.
Philip Hollobone (Kettering, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the future of tank regiments in Wales.
Cheryl Gillan (Secretary of State, Wales; Chesham and Amersham, Conservative)
I have had a number of discussions about the structure of regiments in Wales as part of the study into the Army’s future force structure. The outcome of the study will be announced once decisions have been made. Until then it is not possible to comment on which specific units may be affected.
Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many motorised vehicles of each type are in service in each branch of the armed forces; and where each motorised vehicle is based.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
holding answer25 June 2012
The Ministry of Defence owns a wide variety of vehicles which are based at a number of locations across the UK, overseas and on operations. The following table provides the number of in-service armoured, logistics and engineering vehicles, grouped by role and category, held by the Department:
| Role | Total number in service |
| Armoured | |
| AS90 | 89 |
| Challenger 2 | 227 |
| CRARRV | 75 |
| CVR(T) | 654 |
| FV430 (Mk 2 and Bulldog) | 895 |
| Titan | 33 |
| Trojan | 33 |
| Warrior | 781 |
| Mastiff | 359 |
| Panther | 401 |
| Ridgback | 168 |
| Snatch (all variants) | 485 |
| Vector | 160 |
| Viking | 158 |
| Wolfhound | 125 |
| Husky | 327 |
| Engineering | |
| Armoured Engineering | 66 + 101 Protected Plant |
| Bridging | 177 |
| Bulldozer | 35 |
| Dumper Truck | 181 |
| Excavator | 64 |
| Forklift | 457 |
| Route Engineer Plant | 274 |
| Beach T/WAY Dispenser | 26 |
| Logistics | |
| Bulk Fuel | 705 |
| Cargo | 9,288 |
| Container Handler | 64 |
| Crane | 98 |
| Equipment Transporter | 157 |
| Forklift | 1531 |
| Medical | 905 |
| Recovery | 352 |
| Bulk Water Trailers | 57 |
| Airfield Support | 631 |
| Fire Vehicles | 215 |
Information regarding the branch of the armed forces, and the locations where the vehicles are based, as well as information about other categories of motor vehicles, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Karen Lumley (Redditch, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK troops are stationed in Bosnia Herzegovina.
Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
The UK currently has seven officers stationed in Bosnia Herzegovina: five are assigned to Operation Althea, the European Union Peacekeeping Mission that is helping to maintain a safe and secure environment; one is the Director of Studies at the Peace Support Operation Training Centre in Sarajevo; and one is the Defence Attaché at the UK embassy in Sarajevo.
Julian Lewis (New Forest East, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what offers his Department has received for the Ark Royal; what information his Department holds on the proposed purposes to which such purchasers intend to put the vessel; whether the bidding process has ended; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)
Seventeen proposals have been received to buy HMS Ark Royal. I am withholding the information about the details of individual proposals as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. No decisions have been made about the future of the ship.
Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he made of the cost of transferring the private finance initiative contract for Tornado simulators from RAF Lossiemouth to RAF Marham during the Basing Review.
Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
This question falls under my responsibilities in the Ministry of Defence. The cost of transferring the private finance initiative contract for Tornado simulators from RAF Lossiemouth to RAF Marham during the basing review was estimated at a rough order of magnitude net present value basis as £19 million. The costs would only be incurred if Tornados were to be withdrawn from RAF Lossiemouth before 2014-15.
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@TD You’ve double-pasted the Tornado simulator answer
Interesting seeing the number of Reaper strikes – 176 in 3 years is just over 1 per week.
Hi El Sid,
I take it that your comment “Interesting seeing the number of Reaper strikes – 176 in 3 years is just over 1 per week” meant that was ‘poor’.
- if you look at the stats over the years on the number of ordnance dropped (I take it “strike” means “ordnance dropped, rather than just a “mission”)…
- then it would be a good number (endurance per mission being the key)?
No value judgment intended, I just meant I was interested to see a number which previously AFAIK they have been a bit reluctant to release. It’s interesting in terms of the balance between MQ-9 and Tornado, it implies Tornado is still doing involved in quite a lot of the contacts – although it would be more interesting to see numbers over a shorter time span, now that we have more Reapers.
Cheers El Sid, corrected
RE “although it would be more interesting to see numbers over a shorter time span, now that we have more Reapers.”
- also, as the Tornado call-up averages 30 mins, how many more “drops” did the Reapers actually achieve per hr-up (not so much the cost per hour, that would be a different argument; I am trying to get at the mix, not to an “either/or”)
RE the REeaper, that is only on ‘ordinance’ missions, it does not indicate the amount of surviellance and ISTAR missions carried out, for which its been acknowlegdes our Reaper fleet conducts much more than their American counterparts. Just an fyi.