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

Andrew Tyrie (Chichester, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the arrest, treatment and rendition of Amanatullah Ali by US forces; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

holding answer13 July 2012

I understand that the hon. Member’s question refers to one of two Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba members who were captured by British Forces in and around Baghdad in February 2004 who then were immediately transferred to US detention in accordance with established practice at the time.

The individuals were initially held in US detention in and around Baghdad, and subsequently transferred to a US detention facility in Afghanistan in March 2004. We have been assured that the detainees are held in a humane, safe and secure environment that meets international standards that are consistent with cultural and religious norms. The International Committee of the Red Cross has had regular access to the detainees.

 

Question

Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel or their families in each branch of the armed services who sought assistance from the relevant service welfare organisations for assistance and advice on (a) obtaining state benefits, (b) housing repossession and (c) homelessness in each of the last two years;

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel and their families in each branch of the armed services who were declared homeless in each of the last two years;

(3) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel in each branch of the armed services who have had their homes repossessed while they served in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes its duty of care for its service personnel very seriously. All service personnel have an entitlement to be accommodated by the MOD in service families accommodation, or in single living accommodation, as appropriate.

No service personnel are left homeless. Should any service person living in their own home be subject to repossession, they would be re-housed under MOD policy. However, such an eventuality would be a private matter and no records of it are maintained by the MOD.

 

Question

Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Armed Forces personnel have served at least three months deployment in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

Between April 2007 and May 2012, approximately 83,170 members of the armed forces had served more than 91 days in Afghanistan. Information before 2007 is not held.

 

Question

Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the capability of the Afghan Air Force and the number of its serviceable planes and helicopters; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The UK does not, as one country among the 50 nation International Strategic Assistance Force coalition, make individual assessments on the capability of the Afghan Air Force (AAF).

The NATO Training Mission—Afghanistan (NTM-A) leads international efforts to develop a self sufficient AAF with manpower of 8,000 and 145 aircraft by 2017.

The NTM-A routinely assess progress against this target. Recent setbacks following airworthiness and engineering inspections have resulted in a temporary reduction in AAF capability, which is now being rectified. Currently Afghan Air Force manpower is approximately 5,580, with 97 aircraft.

 

Question

Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he decided to reduce the company strength of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Answer

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

holding answer10 July 2012

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, on 5 July 2012, Hansard, columns 1087-88, in which he confirmed that five infantry battalions would be withdrawn from the Army’s order of battle.

Following careful consideration of a number of criteria including, but not limited to, recruiting performance and regional and national affiliations, it was decided that 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 Scots) would be withdrawn. However, based on a recognised task in Scotland for Public Duties, it was decided to retain one company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 Scots) as a Public Duties Incremental Company (PDIC). As demonstrated in London, PDICs are an efficient way to execute public duties whilst also being capable of other tasks.

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral statement of 5 July 2012, Official Report, column 1087, on Army 2020, in what way the Army plans to make greater use of contractors to support operations; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

As part of the “whole force” concept referred to by the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Hammond, in his oral statement of 5 July 2012, Hansard, columns 1085-88, on Army 2020, we plan in future to move to a Total Support Force initiative where we expect to use more contractors in support of operations. While we have used contractors in support of operations for many years, we expect in future to use them more routinely across a wider range of support services in theatre such as fuel storage, freight distribution, catering and engineering support.

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the formation of a future joint Anglo-French expeditionary force.

Answer

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

Good progress has been made towards establishing the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF). Both the UK and France remain committed to ensuring that the force, along with a deployable Joint Force Headquarters, is available for military operations by the planned date of 2016.

We have already reached agreement with the French on CJEF procedures in a range of areas including logistics, command and control, and how the single service components will operate together.

 

Question

Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any official representations from the Welsh Government on the relocation of nuclear submarines to Wales.

Answer

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

I have not received any official representations from the Welsh Government regarding the basing in Wales of the nuclear submarine fleet. The UK is not making plans for Scottish independence and is not making plans to move the nuclear deterrent or other submarines from HM Naval Base Clyde.

 

Question

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has entered into in respect of the replacement of the Trident missile system; on what date each such contract was entered into; what the nature of the goods or services received is; what the cost is; and what the termination date is in each case.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The Trident D5 missile is expected to remain in service until the 2040s, and we do not anticipate decisions on a replacement being required during the life of this Parliament. No contracts have therefore been placed. The potential cost of a replacement missile remains as published in the 2006 White Paper (CM6994) ‘The Future of the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent’. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

 

Question

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs his Department has incurred on preparations for Trident replacement ahead of a Parliamentary decision in 2016; how much of the cost incurred was spent on (a) submarine and (b) warhead replacement; and what expenditure he expects in the next three financial years.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

As detailed in ‘The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Submarine Initial Gate Parliamentary Report’ (May 2011), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) spent around £900 million on the concept phase of the Successor submarine programme, and we expect expenditure on the assessment phase to total £3 billion. Of this, the planned expenditure on the submarine replacement programme is expected to be £431 million in 2012-13, £486 million in 2013-14 and £595 million in 2014-15.

As the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend Peter Luff, announced to the House on 14 May 2012., Hansard, column 20WS, the MOD is maintaining the existing warhead for as long as necessary, and ensuring that the capability to design and manufacture a replacement warhead, should that be necessary, is maintained. The decision to refurbish or replace the existing warhead will be made in the next Parliament. Studies informing such a decision are expected to amount to some £12 million per annum in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and £16 million in 2014-15. This expenditure forms part of the programme of investment at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) individuals and (b) organisations his Department plans to consult with as part of the consultation on the effect of his proposed reforms on reservists and employers.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The Ministry of Defence will consult widely with employers and employers’ organisations but will also provide opportunities for other interested parties to register their views.

 

Question

John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) with reference to the speech by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 23 April 2012 at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, what progress his Department has made on identifying a proportion of its resource budget that can be re-prioritised; what steps he has taken to identify such funds; and which parts of his Department’s resource budget he has identified as suitable for re-prioritisation;

(2) what discussions he has had with his Department’s agencies and the non-departmental bodies for which he is responsible on the contribution they will make to identifying resource budget for possible re-prioritisation;

(3) when he will make public the areas of his Department’s resource budget he has identified for possible re-prioritisation; and when he plans to report to the Defence Select Committee on the outcome of this exercise.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence is working with HM Treasury to agree contingency plans as set out in ‘Improving Spending Control’, at the following link:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/improving_spending_ control.pdf

Plans and options for reprioritisation will not be published. They should be “live” plans that are reassessed and updated on an ongoing basis.

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many businesses are participating in his Department’s Partnering for Talent programme.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The Partnering for Talent programme aims to create an enduring pipeline of skilled reservists, trained by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with further and higher education establishments and government and industry employers, thus contributing to their personal and professional development, with the proactive support of their employer.

The programme is currently at the concept development stage and we are scoping this with 12 businesses across a range of industry sectors. This scoping exercise will ensure that the concepts are deliverable, scalable and measurable. Following completion of concept development, there will be national rollout to employers of all sizes and sectors.

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral statement of 5 July 2012, Official Report, columns 1085-88, on Army 2020, what changes are being made to the training of reservists in consequence of the measures announced in the Statement.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The training of Army reservists has already been changed under the Future Reserves 2020 programme to increase the attendance rate from 52% to 70% and to provide one sub-unit collective training exercise per major reserve unit annually, incorporating over 20 sub-unit level overseas training exercises. This represents an almost doubling of such exercises from previous normal levels.

Individual training is now the responsibility of the Army Recruiting and Training Division which, as part of the move to a fully integrated Army, is now delivering all recruit training and is in the process of taking on all trade training.

Collective training will continue to develop, to deliver progressively routine integrated training involving paired regular and reserve units by 2015-16.

 

Question

Paul Flynn (Newport West, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he proposes that the seventh Astute-class submarine will use a PWR2 or PWR3 reactor.

Answer

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

All Astute-class submarines will be powered by a pressurised water reactor 2 (PWR2). PWR3 is a new design, which exploits technology that was not available when the design of the Astute submarine was finalised.

 

Question

David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average number of working days lost per person was in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies in each of the last three years.

Answer

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

The average number of working days lost due to sickness absence in the Ministry of Defence and each of its trading funds over the last three years calculated in accordance with Cabinet office methodology, per person per year, is shown in the following table:

	MOD	DSTL	Met Office	UKHO	DSG
1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010	8.3	4.3	5.2	8.6	10.2
1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011	8.0	4.7	3.6	7.5	10.0
1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012	8.1	4.8	—	6.8	9.5
Notes: 1. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary and local engaged civilians are excluded from the totals. 2. The Meteorological Office ceased to be part of the MOD on 30 September 2011 and their figures are excluded from the 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 data.

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the employment rights of reservists.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, meets regularly with his ministerial colleagues to discuss a wide variety of matters, including those relating to reservists.

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists he expects to be on high readiness at any one time once the full 30,000 reserve contingent has been established.

Answer

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

Army force elements, in both regular and reserve components, will be held at varying levels of readiness dependent on role and training. There will be very few reserves held at very high readiness apart from a small number of individual augmentees supporting regular force elements. Within the remainder of the reaction force, which will be held at an appropriate level of readiness to provide a brigade-sized stabilisation commitment, reserves will contribute 10% of the structure. The exact numbers of reserves required for any operation will depend on its nature and scale.

 

Question

William Bain (Glasgow North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made on the security transition in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

Transition of security to Afghan control, as agreed at the Lisbon conference in 2010, is on track and achievable by the end of 2014. In May the Afghan Government announced the third tranche of districts and provinces that will enter the process. This will see the Afghans take the lead for security in areas home to 75% of the population.

By mid-2013, all parts of Afghanistan will have begun transition and the Afghan forces will be in the lead for security nationwide. This will mark an important milestone in the Lisbon road map. The progress of security transition is allowing ISAF gradually and responsibly to draw down its forces to complete its mission by31 December 2014.

 

Question

ke Hancock (Portsmouth South, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take to ensure that the balance between regular and reserve forces is maintained at an appropriate level.

Answer

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

The programme to implement Army 2020, and to enhance our reserve forces, will be closely monitored to ensure that it remains on track, and that projected manning levels are achieved. The work on reshaping the reserves will be aided by the independent scrutiny team which I announced on 5 July 2012, Hansard, columns 1085-88, to be led by retired Lieutenant General Robin Brims, who will make his first report in the summer of 2013.

 

Question

Philip Hollobone (Kettering, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many presentations the armed forces delivered in secondary schools in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) the UK in the last year.

Answer

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

In Northamptonshire in 2011 the Army delivered five presentations in schools and colleges, the Royal Navy delivered seven in secondary schools and the Royal Air Force did not give any presentations. In addition the three services held various other sessions on subjects ranging from personal development to fitness and science.

Similar information for the whole of the UK is not held centrally and will take some time to collate.

 

Question

Naomi Long (Belfast East, Alliance)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department has put in place for members of the armed services who present with gender identity disorder.

Answer

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

The armed forces do not accept any form of discrimination and have a clear policy for the recruitment and management of personnel with gender identity disorder (transsexuals). This policy was published in 2009 and is available to all military commanders and civilian staff who manage service personnel. Advice was sought from a:gender, the support network for staff in Government Departments and agencies who have permanently changed their perceived gender.

 

Question

Naomi Long (Belfast East, Alliance)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policies and procedures his Department has put in place for members of the armed forces who present with learning difficulties.

Answer

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

We take provision for service personnel with specific learning difficulties most seriously. Our policy aims to promote and provide systematic support to those personnel in the armed forces with identified needs to maximise their learning potential and training.

The single services must provide support to those individuals who have voluntarily come forward or have been identified as possibly having specific learning difficulties needs. This support should be delivered irrespective of service, location or job responsibilities (subject to operational requirements).

 

Question

Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been discharged with mental health conditions in each of the last 10 years.

Answer

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

The following table shows the number of naval service, Army and RAF personnel medically discharged with a principal cause of mental and behavioural disorder in each of the last 10 financial years.

Financial year	Naval service (Royal Navy and Royal Marines)	Army	RAF
2002-03	35	109	12
2003-04	33	93	39
2004-05	34	120	64
2005-06	47	112	44
2006-07	44	96	78
2007-08	36	139	45
2008-09	29	140	40
2009-10	21	102	23
2010-11	42	128	30
2011-12	39	124	26
Total	360	1,163	401

During the overall 10-year period, a further 231 personnel (36 naval service, 154 Army and 41 RAF) were medically discharged with a contributory (but not principal) cause of mental and behavioural disorder.

 

Question

Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what treatment is provided before a medical discharge to a member of the armed forces diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Answer

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

All personnel will be initially assessed and managed in Primary Care, and referred into specialist mental health care services where appropriate (which may include in-patient care in a bespoke NHS service contracted by Ministry of Defence).

Our specialist mental health care services are centred round 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK (plus centres overseas). Personnel referred will be assessed by a mental health professional, which (depending on the referred problem) may be a mental health nurse, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or mental health social worker. Treatments available include medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and anxiolytic medications as well as psychotherapies (including simple supportive or problem-solving counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy and Motivational Interviewing).

Recommendations for medical discharge will be made either because an individual’s condition and/or their treatment makes them no longer able to fulfil their occupational role, or there is a residual vulnerability to relapse after their treatment that leaves them at too high a risk either to themselves or their unit for further service. There are a number of supports available to those leaving the service, both non-medical and medical. With respect to the latter, mental health social workers will support personnel going through their medical discharge and beyond, addressing issues such as housing, employment, benefits and transfer of care to the NHS.

In addition, in accordance with a recommendation in Dr Andrew Murrison’s “Fighting Fit” Report, we have introduced a process whereby service personnel can now, where a course of treatment has already started, access mental health care at a DCMH for up to six months after they have left the service. Dr Murrison’s report has also led to a number of other enhancements to the service provided for ex-service personnel with mental health disorders, to which discharged personnel will have access.

 

Question

Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits to the Army there have been from each (a) region of England and (b) nation of the UK in each of the last 10 years; and what demographic projections his Department has made of the age cohort from which infantry recruits are drawn in each such region and nation.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

The following tables show the number of recruits to the regular Army from each region of England and nation of the UK in each of the past 10 years. Regional data for Army officers is only held from 2007-08. Figures have been rounded to 10 and those under five have not been included.

2011-12
Region	Army officer	Army other rank
West Midlands	40	1,040
South	110	470
North East	90	1,740
South East	—	440
North West	40	1,690
Wessex	90	660

East	90	1,610
London	60	550
England Total	520	8,200
Scotland	40	1,060
Wales	20	730
Northern Ireland	20	280

2010-11
Region	Army o fficer	Army o ther r ank
West Midlands	40	900
South	110	390
North East	80	1,550
South East	—	290
North West	60	1,230
Wessex	80	450
East	70	1,010
London	80	370
England Total	520	6,190
Scotland	30	830
Wales	30	470
Northern Ireland	20	240

2009-10
Region	Army o fficer	Army o ther r ank
West Midlands	60	1,350
South	80	580
North East	90	2,150
South East	—	420
North West	40	1,900
Wessex	50	810
East	60	1,930
London	70	850
England Total	450	9,990
Scotland	50	1,100
Wales	20	870
Northern Ireland	20	320

2008-09
Region	Army o fficer	Army o ther r ank
West Midlands	80	1,460
South	100	630
North East	60	2,100
South East	—	460
North West	60	1,820
Wessex	30	1,000
East	50	1,940
London	70	1,300
England Total	450	10,710
Scotland	60	840
Wales	10	920
Northern Ireland	10	290

2007-08
Region	Army o fficer	Army o ther r ank
West Midlands	60	1,360
South	60	550
North East	10	1,950
South East	—	420
North West	30	1,720

Wessex	10	970
East	60	1,650
London	70	1,090
England Total	300	9,710
Scotland	70	740
Wales	—	900
Northern Ireland	10	260

2006-07
Region	Army other rank
West Midlands	1,210
South	600
North East	2,270
South East	410
North West	1,735
Wessex	1,060
East	1,810
London	960
England Total	10,055
Scotland	1,020
Wales	980
Northern Ireland	240

2005-06
Region	Army Other Rank
West Midlands	1,150
South	500
North East	1,920
South East	400
North West	1,780
Wessex	890
East	1,570
London	1,030
England Total	9,240
Scotland	1,080
Wales	870
Northern Ireland	210

2004-05
Region	Army other rank
West Midlands	1,000
South	470
North East	1,730
South East	410
North West	1,550
Wessex	790
East	1,380
London	1,100
England Total	8,430
Scotland	1,120
Wales	670
Northern Ireland	260

2003-04
Region	Army other rank
West Midlands	,1260
South	620
North East	2,400
South East	470

North West	1,920
Wessex	1,000
East	1,760
London	1,480
England Total	10,910
Scotland	1,490
Wales	900
Northern Ireland	310

2002-03
Region	Army Other Rank
West Midlands	1,330
South	760
North East	2,780
South East	600
North West	2,150
Wessex	1,050
East	1,800
London	1,400
England Total	11,870
Scotland	1,600
Wales	920
Northern Ireland	400

The Ministry of Defence has used data available from the Office of National Statistics projections for males within age range for recruiting to the infantry.

 

Question

Jim Cunningham (Coventry South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the effect of reductions in the defence budget on local economies.

Answer

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

Defence spending decisions are not made on the basis of their impact on specific regions, but rather in the interests of the defence of the whole of the United Kingdom. We do not make defence decisions to benefit one local economy or industry over another.

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what artwork is currently displayed in the offices of each of the Ministers in his Department; and what the estimated cost is of each such artwork.

Answer

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

Artworks and artefacts owned by the Ministry of Defence as items in the MOD Art Collection are classed as non-operational heritage assets in the MOD’s Resource Accounts. The MOD collection is managed in line with professional guidelines as laid out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Government Art Collection (GAC).

The following tables specify artwork and artefacts currently displayed in the offices of each Minister which are on loan from official collections and their purchase cost where known. In addition, Ministers might choose to display artworks that are their personal possessions.

With the exception of the two items purchased in 2001 and 2003, the MOD Art Collection items listed entered the collection or its predecessor collections over many years. Where records exist, they show the items were either donated or transferred from the GAC.

Some items in ministerial offices remain in place since the previous occupants. The following tables show items displayed in the offices and outer offices of current Ministers; similarly, items displayed in offices and outer offices of Ministers in post in April 2010 are shown in the following tables.

Artwork and artefacts from official art collections which are currently displayed in the offices and outer offices are as follows:

Secretary of State for Defence—Office
Item	Artist/Maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Charles II Letters Patent	Anon	Print	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Winston Spencer Churchill	Anon	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Terrestrial Globe	Replogle Globes	Reproduction	Purchased for MOD Art Collection on 21 March 2003 at £2,250	MOD Art Collection
A Naval Engagement	Nicholas Pocock	Painting	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1963 was £400	Government Art Collection
A Mediterranean Seaport	Dominic Serres	Painting	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1962 was £185	Government Art Collection

Secretary of State for Defence—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Mediterranean Seascape Sketches in triplicate	Rowland Langmaid	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
HM Custom House, 1941	Alistair Stewart	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection

Minister (Armed Forces)—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Army Scene	Terence Cuneo	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Winston Churchill	Anon	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Aerial view of the Western Front (No. l)	William Wyllie	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Facsimile of Afghan Sketch No. 3	Matthew Cook	Drawing	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Facsimile of Afghan Sketch No. 4	Matthew Cook	Drawing	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Fleet at Anchor, Rosyth from Shore, 1917	Muirhead Bone	Watercolour	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Co-belligerent Italian Submarine and other vessels from the Royal Yacht Club of Egypt, 21 February 1944	Rowland Langmaid	Watercolour	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Letter by Nelson to Bickerton	Lord Nelson	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Barograph	Rototherm	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Bracket Clock	Thomas Dutton	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Silver Cigar/Cigarette Box	Anon	Antique	Information not held	Royal Navy Trophy Centre

There are no items from official art collections displayed in the outer office of Minister (Armed Forces).

Minister (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology)—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Bracket Clock—Tempus Fugit	J. J. Elliott	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Canadian Infantryman	Augustus John	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Relief Globe	Replogle Globes	Reproduction	Purchased for MOD Art Collection on 6 July 2001 at £750	MOD Art Collection
Bomb Damage, Custom House	Alistair Stewart	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Bomb Damage, Custom House	William Hampton	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Interior, North Bastion, Tower of London, 1942	William Hampton	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
View of North Bastion, Tower of London	Alistair Stewart	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection

There are no items from official art collections displayed in the outer office of Minister (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology).

Minister (International Security Strategy)—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
HM Queen Elizabeth II	Leonard Boden	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
The Thames from Somerset House	Canaletto	Reproduction	Transferred from GAC to MOD	MOD Art Collection
Submarine on Patrol at Sunset	Anon	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
HMS Vanguard	Thomas Luny	Painting	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Shadow of Myself	Stefan Gzowski	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Bengal Light Cavalry	R. Ackermann’s Costumes of the Indian Army	Print	One of 221 items purchased in 1859 for £127.2s.2d.	Prince Consort Library, Aldershot

Minister (International Security Strategy)—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
The Death of Nelson	Daniel Maclise	Engraving	Information not held	MOD Art Collection

Minister (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans)—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
War Graves, Suda Bay, 2006	Brian Harris	Photograph	Donated	MOD Art Collection
Bracket Clock	Robert Rentch	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Attack on Vanguard on the Spanish Armada 1588. Painted 1883	Sir Oswald Walters Brierly	Engraving	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1964 was £3.00	Government Art Collection
Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum (1850 to 1916)	Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope	Photogravure	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 2002 was £100	Government Art Collection

Minister (Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans)—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Bomb Disposal, Iraq	Alix Baker	Print	Donated	MOD Art Collection
Eton College	Canaletto	Reproduction	Transferred from GAC to MOD	MOD Art Collection
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Field Marshal and Prime Minister	Samuel Cousins after Sir Thomas Lawrence	Mezzotint	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1951 was £4.20	Government Art Collection
The Battle of the Nile fought 1 August 1798	James Fittler after Phillip James de Loutherbourg	Engraving	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1952 was £2.70	Government Art Collection
‘Horatio Nelson’, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758-1805) Vice- Admiral and Victor of Trafalgar	Richard Earlom after Lemuel Francis Abbott	Mezzotint	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 1952 was £5.00	Government Art Collection

There are no items from official art collections displayed in the office or outer office of the Under Secretary of State.

Prior to the 2010 general election the following artwork and artefacts from official art collections were on display in Ministers’ offices:

Secretary of State for Defence—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Lord Kitchener (picture)	Anon	Print	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Winston Spencer Churchill	Anon	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection

Secretary of State for Defence—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Mediterranean Seascape Sketches in triplicate	Rowland Langmaid	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
HM Custom House, 1941	Alistair Stewart	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection

Minister for Armed Forces—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Army Scene	Terence Cuneo	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Winston Churchill	Anon	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Co-belligerent Italian Submarine and other vessels from the Royal Yacht Club of Egypt, 21 February 1944	Rowland Langmaid	Watercolour	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Sha Tau Kok	Ken Howard	Watercolour	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
‘A’ Flight No 6 Squadron, No. 12 Group RAF	Harold Wyllie	Print	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
WAAF Cleaning Spark Plugs	Dorothy Coke	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
HMS Defence, after action against French Fleet	Robert Dodd	Print	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Letter by Nelson to Bickerton	Lord Nelson	Photograph	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Barograph	Rototherm	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Bracket Clock	Thomas Dutton	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Silver Cigar/Cigarette Box	Anon	Antique	Information not held	Royal Navy Trophy Centre

There were no items from official art collections displayed in the outer office of Minister for Armed Forces.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Bracket Clock-Tempus Fugit	J. J. Elliott	Reproduction	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Canadian Infantryman	Augustus John	Painting	Donation	MOD Art Collection
Relief Globe	Replogle Globes	Reproduction	Purchased for MOD Art Collection on 6 July 2001 at £750	MOD Art Collection
WAAF Cleaning Spark Plugs	Dorothy Coke	Print	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Prospect of Westminster	Anon	Engraving	Information not held	MOD Art Collection

There were no items from official art collections displayed in the outer office of Minister for Defence Equipment and Support.

Minister for International Development and Security—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of Item
The Thames from Somerset House	Canaletto	Reproduction	Transferred from GAC to MOD	MOD Art Collection
HMS Vanguard	Thomas Luny	Painting	Information not held	MOD Art Collection

Minister for International Development and Security—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
The Death of Nelson	Daniel Maclise	Engraving	Information not held	MOD Art Collection

Minister for Veterans—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
War Graves, Suda Bay, 2006	Brian Harris	Photograph	Donated	MOD Art Collection
Bracket Clock	Robert Rentch	Antique	Information not held	MOD Art Collection
Gunner Paul March (Canadian Forces)	Henry Lamb	Painting	Information not held	Government Art Collection
A Merchantman at Catania	Bernard Hailstone	Painting	Information not held	Government Art Collection

Minister for Veterans—Outer Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Bomb Disposal, Iraq	Alix Baker	Print	Donated	MOD Art Collection
Eton College	Canaletto	Reproduction	Transferred from GAC to MOD	MOD Art Collection

Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform—Office
Item	Artist/maker	Item type	Original cost	Source of item
Outpost 4/5	Anne Hardy	Photograph	Cost when GAC originally acquired in 2008 was £5,875	Government Art Collection

There were no items from official art collections displayed in the outer office of Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform.

There were no items from official art collections displayed in the office or outer office of the Under-Secretary of State.

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 June 2012, Official Report, columns 1041-2W, on defence equipment, in which month each item subsequently recovered was lost or stolen; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The following table refers to when the items were reported as stolen. These cases were closed in financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 when the items were found or recovered.

No data are held on the actual date the equipment was lost or stolen.

Date suspicion was reported	Items	Estimated offence value (£)	Outcome
12 February 2010	Military ceremonial kit (1 x sword ORs; 1 x scabbard ORs; 1 x belt waist; 1 x sling sword; 1 x sling; 1 x lining; 1 x sword knot)	398.00	All items except sword recovered
25 November 2009	Fuel	480.00	Monies recovered
7 June 2010	Laptop computer	2,400.00	No crime. Item found
3 November 2009	Pyrotechnics	15.00	Items were recovered
5 May 2010	TV viewing cards	(1)—	All items recovered
6 July 2010	4 x full size goal posts; 2 x small size goalposts	6,000.00	No crime. Items recovered
9 February 2010	Flight deck helmet, goggles and ear defenders	101.00	No crime. Items found
13 January 2009	Body armour and plates	1,385.00	No crime. Items recovered
30 June 2010	Medical daysack	500.00	No crime. Item found
15 June 2010	Head stall, bosses, sircingles, brite chain, bit banbury and drum horse girth	1,258.00	No crime. Items found
8 September 2010	Military daysack, green overalls, beret	32.00	No crime. Items found
24 March 2010	Steel hoist; petrol mower; 3 x boxes chemical light sticks	1,130.00	One item recovered
2 august 2010	Cash	494.00	Money was returned to account
8 October 2010	Silver plated cutlery	7,219.00	No crime. Item found
12 November 2008	Various military clothing and equipment	(1)—	£6,600 recovered
31 January 2011	Landrover	7,500.00	Item found
22 March 2011	Head mounted night vision system	4,439.00	No crime. Item recovered
26 October 2010	Gortex clothing; bowman radio equipment	500.00	2 radios recovered
2 February 2011	MOD equipment	15.00	Closed—some items recovered
6 July 2011	Antenna; filters; headset	1,626.00	No crime. Items found
13 June 2011	Camera	350.00	No crime. Item found
28 July 2011	Foul weather jacket; daysack	80.00	No crime. Items found
8 March 2011	Smoke grenade	9.00	Item recovered
2 August 2011	Expandable barrier for traffic control	250.00	No crime. Item found

16 August 2011	1 x rescue and salvage hydraulic kit; 2 x endless sling; 2 x strop; 1 x steel chest tool; 2 x vehicle mechanic toolkit chest; 1 x complete vehicle mechanic toolkit	34,343.11	Unsolved. One item recovered
20 August 2010	Mk 7 Kevlar helmet	250.00	Recovered
22 September2011	Dinghy	1,100.00	Solved—item destroyed, not stolen
16 September2011	Goal posts	150.00	No crime. Items found
12 September 011	Antifreeze	10.00	Item recovered
5 December 2011	2 x head mounted night vision systems	7,998.00	No crime. Items found
16 June 2011	1 x night vision goggles	4,430.00	No crime. Item recovered
31 May 2011	1 x night vision goggles	3,000.00	No crime. Item returned
14 October 2008	Computer	200.00	Item recovered
7 November 2011	1 x coat; 1 x tie; 1 x gloves	100.00	No crime. Items found
6 October 2011	Various electronic equipment	5,507.90	Some items recovered
24 January 2011	7 x drill rifles	392.00	Some items recovered
(1) Value not recorded

The Ministry of Defence is developing initiatives to better understand the risks of fraud including theft, irregularity, corruption and bribery, and to enhance existing mechanisms aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to fraud.

 

Question

Peter Bone (Wellingborough, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the expected overall change in defence spending during the present Parliament.

Answer

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

Estimates regarding Defence Spending during the present Parliament were set out in the 2010 spending review, the 2011 autumn statement and the 2012 Budget, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

 

Question

Alex Cunningham (Stockton North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to tackle discrimination within the armed forces.

Answer

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

Discrimination within the armed forces is not tolerated at any level and service personnel are encouraged to report incidences whenever encountered. Once reported the complaint is investigated and dealt with through the chain of command. Commanding Officers have clear guidance on how to deal with such complaints.

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian and (b) military electronic warfare specialists are employed in the (i) RAF, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Army; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The number of military electronic warfare specialists employed in the armed forces as at1 May 2012is shown in the following table:

	Number
Royal Navy	420
Army	510
RAF	1,110

Civilians do not fulfil this function in the armed forces.

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of feeding, watering and maintaining the ceremonial horses used by his Department was in the last 12 months.

Answer

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

holding answer13 July 2012

Information on the costs of maintaining ceremonial horses is not held centrally in the format requested.

However, the cost of feeding and bedding of ceremonial horses for the last financial year (1 April 2011to31 March 2012) was assessed to be around £1.2 million.

 

Question

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the French Ministry of Defence on the possible location of UK nuclear weapons in French bases or use of French facilities in the future.

Answer

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

holding answer12 July 2012

Officials in the Ministry of Defence have had no discussions with colleagues in the French Ministry of Defence on the possible location of UK nuclear weapons in French bases.

The Teutates Treaty of 2010 enables the construction and use of shared UK- French facilities at Valduc in France. The treaty allows experiments supporting the performance and safety of our nuclear deterrent, although there will be no physical movement of warheads between the two nations and each country will retain sovereignty over its own experiments and data.

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) if he will estimate the total value of the Prime Regional Contract for Scotland and Northern Ireland;

(2) when the winner of the Prime Regional Contract for Scotland and Northern Ireland will be announced;

(3) what the duration is of the Prime Regional Contract for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Answer

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

The Regional Prime Contract for Scotland and Northern Ireland is due to be awarded in January 2014 and will run for an initial five years, with the option to extend it by up to a further five.

While it is estimated to be between £200 million and £350 million in value over the initial five years, this is subject to basing, future funding levels, and decisions as to whether some current in-house activities are outsourced.

 

Question

Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made on the Scout specialist vehicle programme.

Answer

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

The Scout specialist vehicle programme is currently in the Demonstration Phase. The first vehicle platform test rig was rolled out on6 June 2012 and pre-production vehicle prototypes are due to begin delivery from 2013.

 

Question

Paul Flynn (Newport West, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Rolls-Royce on its facilities being developed as part of the refurbishment of its Raynesway plant that are specific for the PWR3 reactor for the Trident replacement submarines.

Answer

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

Ministers meet with a range of defence contractors, including Rolls-Royce, to discuss a wide range of issues. Details of all ministerial meetings with external organisations, including companies from the defence sector, are published in the Ministry of Defence’s quarterly transparency returns as required by the Government’s Transparency Agenda. The following website address provides the latest published returns:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/MinistersHospitalityReceived.htm

Copies of the relevant returns will be placed in the Library of the House. Meetings during the period January to March 2012 will be published in due course.

I am withholding further details of the discussions with Rolls-Royce, as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.

 

Question

Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether cuts in financing the army and the reduction of 20,000 soldiers are designed to enable it to fit into a future European army.

Answer

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

The requirement to reduce the size of the Army and its resources was based on a number of factors, notably the fact that our combat role in Afghanistan is coming to an end. We need to restructure our forces to face an increasingly uncertain world, ready to intervene whenever and wherever to protect our national interest and with an ability to project force and prevent conflict through “agile and adaptable” Armed Forces, as set out in the 2010 strategic defence and security review.

Many but not all of the operations we wish to be involved with in the future are likely to be conducted with our allies, particularly those from NATO. The UK Government will continue to decide when and where they deploy their national forces, and have made it clear that they would never sign up to a standing European army.

 

Question

Adam Holloway (Gravesham, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry soldiers have been deployed to (a) Afghanistan and to (b) Iraq; and how many deployed to each country have been treated for (i) transient psychological distress, (ii) alcohol misuse, (iii) post traumatic stress disorder, (iv) depression, (v) mild traumatic brain injury and (vi) each other psychological condition during and since their deployment.

Answer

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

Information relating to the total number of infantry soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001 and 2003 respectively, and the number of infantry soldiers treated during their deployment, is not available centrally in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

However, between 1 April 2007and 31 May 2012, the number of Army infantry officers and soldiers, excluding infantry personnel in the Brigade of Gurkhas, who had deployed to Afghanistan was 25,300 and Iraq was 7,910.

Details of infantry personnel who had an episode of care at a Ministry of Defence Department of Community Mental Health or in-patient admission between April 2007 and March 2012, and who have been identified as previously deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, is provided in the following table. An episode of care may be limited to an initial assessment, which may not subsequently require the individual receiving treatment.

Infantry personnel () who had an episode of care (1) at a MOD Department of Community Mental Health or in-patient admission between April 2007 and March 2012 who had previously deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq (2)
Number
	Afghanistan	Iraq
Alcohol misuse	139	136
Post traumatic stress disorder	234	136
Depressive episode	163	156

Mild traumatic brain injury(3)	178	(5)—
Other psychological conditions (including those which may be considered transient(4)):
Other mood disorders (excluding depressive episode)	18	29
Other neurotic disorder (excluding PTSD and adjustment disorder)	152	164
Adjustment disorder	682	481
Other psychoactive substance misuse (excluding alcohol)	9	(5)—
Other mental health disorders	80	85
No psychiatric disorder diagnosed	427	402
No International Classification of Disease classification provided	7	17
(1) If personnel who have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq present with symptoms they are counted in both categories presented. If personnel have more than one episode of care for the same condition they are counted once against that condition. If a person has an episode of care for different conditions, they are counted once against each condition. (2) Data are based on the initial health assessment during a patient’s first appointment, based on complaints presenting at that time. Final diagnosis may differ. (3) Data for mild traumatic brain injuries are compiled from information held by the relevant multi-disciplinary team at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court for the period from 1 June 2008. (4) Assessments are made using Chapter 10 of the International Classification of Diseases, which does not use the term ‘transient psychological distress’. (5) In order to reduce the risk of individuals being identified, all numbers fewer than five have been suppressed and the symbol ‘—’ used.

 

Question

Andrew Tyrie (Chichester, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the arrest, treatment and rendition of Amanatullah Ali by US forces; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

holding answer13 July 2012

I understand that the hon. Member’s question refers to one of two Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba members who were captured by British Forces in and around Baghdad in February 2004 who then were immediately transferred to US detention in accordance with established practice at the time.

The individuals were initially held in US detention in and around Baghdad, and subsequently transferred to a US detention facility in Afghanistan in March 2004. We have been assured that the detainees are held in a humane, safe and secure environment that meets international standards that are consistent with cultural and religious norms. The International Committee of the Red Cross has had regular access to the detainees.

 

Question

Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel or their families in each branch of the armed services who sought assistance from the relevant service welfare organisations for assistance and advice on (a) obtaining state benefits, (b) housing repossession and (c) homelessness in each of the last two years;

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel and their families in each branch of the armed services who were declared homeless in each of the last two years;

(3) what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel in each branch of the armed services who have had their homes repossessed while they served in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes its duty of care for its service personnel very seriously. All service personnel have an entitlement to be accommodated by the MOD in service families accommodation, or in single living accommodation, as appropriate.

No service personnel are left homeless. Should any service person living in their own home be subject to repossession, they would be re-housed under MOD policy. However, such an eventuality would be a private matter and no records of it are maintained by the MOD.

 

Question

Don Foster (Bath, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the commitment introduced in the 2005 edition of his Department’s Green Book that British forces would never deliberately target journalists or media facilities has been removed from the latest edition of the Green Book; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The Green Book is produced in consultation with editors and press and broadcasting organisations as a general guide to the procedures that the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) will adopt in working with the media throughout the full spectrum of military operations.

The current October 2010 edition states at paragraph 12, page 6:

“It is also important to understand that UK Forces on Operations will not deliberately target individual correspondents”

and is available at the following link:

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BAFF11F2-EF45-4A99-B8BA-A1BDA6AFE8A4/0/green_book_v7_011010.pdf

The Green Book is in the process of being revised again and the MOD has recently consulted editors, press and broadcasting organisations on its contents. While there has been no change in the underlying policy, the initial draft of this proposed revision did not contain words along the lines quoted because they were considered unnecessary.

There is no question of UK forces on operations ever intentionally targeting individual correspondents. Unless they are targeting our troops, such action would be illegal.

 

Question

Answer

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether changes have been made to postal services from the UK to personnel serving in Afghanistan since May 2010.

Answer

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

There have been no changes to the system for sending mail to armed forces personnel serving in Afghanistan since May 2010. The service provided is very similar to the one that was used to send mail to those who were deployed to Iraq.

The provision of a free mail service to allow armed forces personnel serving in Iraq to receive mail from families and friends was first introduced in April 2003; this has since evolved into the Enduring Free Mail Service (EFMS). Armed forces personnel deployed on specified operations, including in Afghanistan, and on board ships supporting those operations, benefit from the EFMS. This is a joint venture between the British Forces’ Post Office and the Royal Mail and enables friends and family members to send packages from the UK weighing up to 2kg free of charge.

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many allegations of sexual assault 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.

Answer

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 July 2012, Hansard, column 822W. The following table contains the updated figures for 2012 and includes those cases that did not meet the Full Code test for prosecution for 2011.

	Sexual assault referrals	Directions	Convictions	Full Code test for prosecution not met
2011	58	37	23	21
2012 to 11 July	16	4	(1)1	—
(1) Two ongoing

Allegations referred in any one year are not necessarily tried, or directed for trial in the same year.

The Full Code test for prosecution has two main elements, relating to whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction, and the public interest, but there may be other reasons not to pursue a case, for example the accused may have been convicted of other offences and received a heavy sentence and after discussion with the victim a decision has been made not to proceed.

 

Question

Madeleine Moon (Bridgend, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2012, Official Report, column 195W, on armed forces: sexual offences, how many rape allegations were made by (a) female and (b) male members of the armed forces in each of the last three years; in how many of those cases (i) charges were directed for trial and (ii) trials were held; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The information requested is not immediately available and will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

 

Question

Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the export potential of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Foxhound; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

holding answer13 July 2012

As set out in the “National Security Through Technology” White Paper CM8273 published February 2012, we must provide our armed forces with the best capabilities we can afford. A number of these capabilities, such as Foxhound, have export potential, and the Government is committed to supporting industry in realising that potential.

While the company have received a number of inquiries from potential overseas customers, no firm export opportunities have, as yet, arisen. However, the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation, as the Government lead for defence and security exports, are already exploring and supporting the aspirations of General Dynamics Land Systems-Force Protection Europe in any export opportunities which arise in relation to Foxhound. Its recent deployment on operations will enable us to assess its full capability.

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish military advice he received on (a) the amalgamation of the Queen’s Royal Lancers with the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and (b) a merger between the 1st and 2nd Royal Tank Regiments.

Answer

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

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Hammond, in his announcement on 5 July 2012, Hansard, column 1086, in which he said that, Army 2020 calls for a greater focus in future on mobility and the ability to mount expeditionary warfare based around the air assault and armoured infantry brigades of the reaction forces. This continues the Army’s evolution from the cold war posture that was reliant on more armoured units. The consequence of this concept of operations is a requirement to reduce the number of Royal Armoured Corps regiments from eleven to nine.

The Army’s decision on which regiments to remove from the Order of Battle was taken on the basis of advice provided by the Royal Armoured Corps which took account of a number of criteria. Although ensuring delivery of the correct capability in the most effective way was the overriding concern, the other criteria used included a desire to minimise the number of cap badge reductions to promote the regimental system, taking account of past amalgamations within the Royal Armoured Corps, so wherever possible those who amalgamated most recently were less likely to be affected, and merging or amalgamating regiments with similar history and tradition, and current capabilities.

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) Army brigades, (b) Army Air Corps, (c) Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured corps, (d) Royal Regiment Artillery, (e) Corps of Royal Engineers, (f) Royal Corps of Signals, (g) Royal Logistics Corps, (h) Army Medical Services, (i) Royal Military Police, (j) Royal Intelligence Corps, (k) Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers regiments will be based in (i) Scotland, (ii) England and (iii) Wales by 2020.

Answer

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

It is too early to say where specific formations and units will be based across the UK by 2020, however, the Army intends maintaining a significant presence across the UK.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is leading work on the Ministry of Defence’s footprint strategy in order to deliver a Defence estate of the right size and shape that is sustainable and delivers the most cost-effective approach to future force basing. Initial decisions are expected to be made later this year.

 

Question

Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many service veterans are currently receiving support from the Personnel Recovery Centres; and how many are currently waiting to receive support.

Answer

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

Personnel Recovery Centres offer residential facilities to those wounded, injured and sick, serving personnel from across the Armed Forces undergoing recovery as well as providing facilities for day attendees. Working in partnership with Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion, they are focused on helping an individual reach a point where they are able to return to duty or transition to civilian life.

As such the centres have not been established to provide support to service veterans. However, under certain conditions and where there is spare capacity, our partners may allocate spaces to veterans. These spaces are funded by the service charities and the Ministry of Defence does not record these numbers.

 

Question

Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel concerning their alleged use of live fire in recent military exercises in Al Aqaba village in the Jordan valley.

Answer

Lord Howell of Guildford (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Conservative)

We understand there was an Israeli Defence Force exercise in Al Aqaba in June, during which live fire was reportedly used. We have not raised this specific incident with the Israeli authorities.

More broadly, we remain concerned by social and economic developments in Area C of the West Bank. The European Union has formally demarched Israel to outline our shared concern at worrying developments in Area C. These developments were a major theme of the meeting of European Foreign Ministers on 14 May. (http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/130195.pd.

 

Question

Lord Empey (UUP)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help is available to members of the Royal Navy Reserve who (1) suffer from dyslexia, and (2) have a gender identity disorder.

Answer

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

Members of the Royal Naval reserve in full time reserve service are eligible for the same help and support as regular members of the Naval Service.

Personnel with an identified specific learning difficulty would be given the appropriate support and work time to address their needs to maximise their learning potential and to develop their talents and skills. Through the Defence Medical Services, personnel would have access to the full range of medical care, such as general practitioner, occupational health and psychiatric support.

Former regular personnel with a reserve liability and volunteer reservists attending for mandatory training or voluntary duties will only be eligible for such support when mobilised into service as the result of a call-out notice.

 

Question

Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Labour)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many, and what types of, weapons and ammunition, under the control of the Armed Forces or the Ministry of Defence were lost, stolen or otherwise unaccounted for in (1) 2010, (2) 2011, and (3) in the first six months of 2012.

Answer

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

The following table provides the latest available figures for weapons that have been recorded as being either lost or stolen since 2010 and shows, where appropriate, where subsequent recovery has been made. These figures include reported losses in operational theatres. The term “unaccounted for” is not recognised in respect of weapons as they are recorded as either lost or stolen once reported.

No comprehensive figures are available in respect of ammunition losses. This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

	2010		2011		20121
	Lost/Stolen	Recovered	Lost/Stolen	Recovered	Lost/Stolen	Recovered
Pistol	7	0	4	1	5	3
Rifle	162	8	7	0	2	1
Machine Gun	633	7	5	0	0	0
Shotgun	1	0	0	0	0	0

¹ From1 January to30 June.

² This figure includes four Drill Purpose rifles.

³ This figure includes 59 weapons that were lost during transit to Afghanistan.

 

Question

Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether data are collected relating to the suicide level amongst serving and ex-serving personnel; and, if so, what is their assessment of the suicide levels amongst personnel who have served in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Answer

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

Information on suicides and open verdict deaths in the UK regular Armed Forces is published annually by Defence Analytical Services and Advice.

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking research on veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will monitor the causes of death (including suicide) of all serving members of the Armed Forces from 2003 until the end of operations in Afghanistan. The intention is to run the study for the lifetime of the cohort; therefore the population will include both serving and discharged personnel and will assist us in continuing to develop our support for former personnel and those leaving the services. The MoD hopes to publish initial results in 2014.

 

Question

Lord Moonie (Labour)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced to prepare for the future basing of Vanguard class submarines in the event that an independent Scotland demands withdrawal of all nuclear equipment.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced to prepare for the future storage of weapons currently held at Coulport in the event that an independent Scotland demands withdrawal of all nuclear equipment.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced about the future storage of equipment currently held at DM Glen Douglas, in the event that Scotland becomes independent.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced about the future storage of equipment currently held at DM Beith, in the event that Scotland becomes independent.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced about the future storage of equipment currently held at DM Crombie, in the event that Scotland becomes independent.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether contingency planning has commenced about the future of United Kingdom test ranges, in the event that Scotland becomes independent.

Answer

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

The UK Government position is clear: Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. The UK Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support Scotland remaining within the UK in any referendum. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is therefore not undertaking contingency planning in respect of future basing, storage or testing arrangements in the event that Scotland becomes independent. HM Naval Base Clyde is a significant local employer, with over 6,000 Naval Service, MoD civilian and contractors’ personnel; and this number is expected to rise significantly as the Royal Navy submarine fleet builds up there over the coming years. The base is a major source of employment for highly skilled workers and a major contributor to the local and national economy.

 

Question

Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how service personnel are screened for psychological problems on return from operations; and what steps they are taking to support the agencies, including Combat Stress, that help veterans at risk.

Answer

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

The UK Armed Forces do not currently have a programme of mandatory mental health screening, because no robust research-based evidence has been produced to show that it is effective in identifying those people who do have a problem. In fact, research undertaken at the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) indicates that in some circumstances it can actually be harmful, by presenting significant numbers of both false positive and false negative results. However, we have undertaken to commission new research into the question, and the major post-operational screening trial (POST) being conducted at KCMHR in conjunction with the US Department of Defense, which is due to report in 2015, is looking at the effectiveness of post-deployment testing and monitoring of personnel.

Although we do not screen all those returning from operations, checks are carried out on certain high-risk groups, such as seriously injured patients admitted to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine within the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, all trauma survivors, including amputees, who are referred to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court, have a mental health assessment as part of their multidisciplinary team admission assessment.

We do of course already have a wide range of measures in place to provide mental health advice, support and treatment to service personnel. Throughout their careers service personnel receive regular briefings and training on the identification and management of both operational and workplace stress, including recognising its signs in their colleagues. A key factor in all briefings is reducing the stigma that can be attached to mental health disorders. The services maintain a support line that provides a fully trained, confidential, independent and non-judgmental listening and support service, and welfare officers, padres, and members of regimental organisations are all able to provide advice and support. For those seeking help online, the defence internet website provides information on how to get advice and help urgently, and we are currently trialling access for service personnel to the “Big White Wall” online early intervention service for people in psychological distress.

For those who do need treatment, mental healthcare is provided by primary care medical centres supported by specialist mental health services. There are 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK (plus centres overseas), which offer a wide range of psychiatric and psychological treatments, including medication, psychological therapies, and environmental adjustment where appropriate. In-patient care, when necessary, is provided in specialised psychiatric units under contract with the NHS.

The Ministry of Defence and Department of Health are working together, alongside organisations such as Combat Stress and the Royal British Legion, 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.

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.

 

Statement – Youth Engagement

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

The Defence Youth Engagement Review (YER) was completed late last year and, since then, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), assisted by other Departments and key stakeholders, has been developing

its response. The review considered all aspects of defence youth engagement, including the award winning Education Outreach programme where MOD officials mentor young people. However, given their size and dominance, the review concentrated on the cadet forces.

I am delighted to inform the House that the review concluded that there is little wrong with our cadet forces at the detachment level; with over 3,300 units and 140,000 cadets spread across the UK. A copy of the review will be placed in the Library of the House.

The single services are justifiably proud of their association with the individual cadet forces and there is no intention to create a joint cadet force, although the review did point out some structural issues including the need for a more joined up approach from the MOD down to regional level. Following the YER, four key areas have been prioritised for further work; reviewing adult volunteers’ terms and conditions of service, reviewing cadet activity in schools, addressing the issues and duplication of the Management Information Systems, and exploring options to expand the cadet forces. The House will be aware of the Prime Minister’s announcement, as part of Armed Forces Day, that funding has been made available by the Government to open 100 new cadet units in state funded secondary schools by 2015.

The review also challenged us to consider how defence would engage with the National Citizen Service and to develop an expansion plan. Following discussions with the Cabinet Office and the Department for Education, over 600 cadets will join a tailored trial of NCS this summer.

Finally, the review highlights the excellent work done by our 26,000 cadet force adult volunteers. I believe we all owe them a debt of gratitude for their unstinting efforts to develop tomorrow’s citizens.

 

Statement – Building Stability Overseas

William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)

I, together with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for International Development and the Secretary of State for Defence, wish to update the House on the progress our three Departments have made in implementing the Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS) that we launched on19 July 2011. The BSOS is one of the cross-Government strategies adopted following the strategic defence and security review.

We launched the BSOS at the time of the Arab spring, which was a profound demonstration that genuine stability can only be achieved when societies have strong and legitimate institutions to manage tensions peacefully. The BSOS was the first cross-Government strategy on conflict issues. It sets out that it is in the UK’s interest to build capacities overseas that help prevent the conditions that lead to conflict before they develop; and to identify emerging crises early and to respond rapidly to prevent or mitigate them.

We have made good progress in implementing the new strategy since its publication. The BSOS has produced a range of different mechanisms that ensure that the different skills, perspectives and expertise across Government are brought together in an integrated way.

We have established new systems for early warning, to better identify rising risks. Senior officials from across Government meet regularly to systematically review and, if necessary, challenge the Government’s approach to selected priority countries.

We have increased the level of overall resources for conflict prevention in the tri-departmental conflict pool and are aligning the pool’s approach more towards upstream conflict prevention. I intend to place before the House details of proposed conflict resources allocations, through the conflict pool, for financial years 2012-13 and 2014-15 once the National Security Council has endorsed them.

Our aim is to ensure a clear fit between conflict pool allocations and the Government’s highest conflict and stability priorities. We have increased conflict pool funding for the middle east and north Africa region, aligning our work closely with that of our Arab partnership initiative which supports Arab-led efforts to build more open, prosperous and stable societies. We are increasing our support to Somalia and Pakistan, while continuing important commitments to the Balkans, the Caucasus and to the UK’s peacekeeping presence in Cyprus. Within the conflict pool, we have also created a new £20 million early action facility (EAF) to provide rapid funding for unforeseen crises or to address new opportunities for conflict prevention. The facility has already been used to support work on Syria.

For the first time, we have made conflict pool allocations across more than one financial year, increasing our ability to plan ahead, deliver better value for money and improve the impact of our work. We are strengthening the conflict pool’s focus on achieving results. Our reform programme will draw on recommendations from independent reviews this year by the National Audit Office and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact.

We commissioned an internal review of the tri-departmental stabilisation unit. The review concluded that there continues to be a clear need for the stabilisation unit. It will remain an important tool to help integrate the Government’s approach to conflict and to help build more stable states. We are working to implement the recommendations of the review, including strengthening the leadership of the unit and its oversight by our three Departments, moving the unit to a new location and driving value for money and efficiency changes (including headcount reductions).

Our development programme continues to prevent conflict upstream, supporting countries to make that vital transition towards a peaceful, stable and lasting future. Three-quarters of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) focus countries are fragile and conflict affected states. DFID is on track to direct 30% of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) to such countries by 2014-15. In 2011-12 UK aid investments supported freer and fairer elections in four countries, helped 300,000 women to access justice through the courts, police and legal assistance and helped over 16 million people hold their authorities to account.

The UK can achieve a much greater impact to building stability and preventing conflict around the world when we work with others. We are well placed to do so, exploiting the UK’s established roles and networks at the UN, within the EU, NATO and other multilateral forum and with our traditional partners. We are working

with the UN’s Department for Political Affairs to improve its capacity for conflict prevention. We have provided UK secondees to the European External Action Service conflict prevention team and we are ensuring conflict prevention features in EU budget negotiations. We are also engaging with a broader range of partners, including Brazil and South Africa. The BSOS has enabled the UK to remain at the heart of international thinking on conflict prevention. The London conference on Somalia in February was a good example of the way UK leadership can reinvigorate and galvanise international efforts.

We recognise that Government do not have all the answers and therefore we are seeking deliberately wider views beyond Whitehall to provide challenge and to ensure we access, reflect on and assimilate latest thinking. We have used the positive reaction to the publication of BSOS from NGOs and academics specialising in conflict to develop relationships further through joint initiatives.

The BSOS recognised the need to include the protection of women and children. I informed the House of the Government’s new initiative to tackle sexual violence in conflict on12 Juneincluding the establishment of a new team of experts and an international diplomatic campaign during our G8 presidency in 2013. As well as directly supporting and undertaking investigations, this team will support upstream interventions by providing training to national authorities to strengthen their domestic response to rape and other crimes of sexual violence.

In post-conflict scenarios, holding those responsible for appalling crimes of sexual violence and removing the sense of impunity will contribute to the peace building process.

The new approach outlined in the building stability overseas strategy is already beginning to have real impact on way the UK tackles conflict and instability overseas. We have the tools in place and are now working on implementation. Addressing instability and conflict overseas is a sound investment in both our national interest and a better future for all.

 

Statement – Defence Material Strategy

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

A core element of the transformation process under way in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is reforming its acquisition system to drive better value from the defence budget. This includes changes to the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation to ensure it has the structures, management and skills it needs to provide the right equipment to our armed forces at the right time, and at the right cost. This is essential to tackle the legacy problems in defence acquisition that led to cost and schedule overruns, and which have resisted previous reform. The people at DE&S work hard to provide battle-winning equipment, support and logistics, but the current system does not work for them, does not always support them, and is not delivering value for money for the taxpayer.

Over the last year, Bernard Gray, the Chief of Defence Materiel, has analysed the root causes of the current situation and identified three interlinked issues. These are: a historically overheated equipment programme, where far more projects were planned than could be paid for; a weak interface between DE&S and the wider Ministry of Defence with poor discipline and change control between those setting requirements for equipment and those delivering the programmes; and insufficient levels of business capability at DE&S for the scale and complexity of the portfolio it is asked to deliver. The result has been significant additional costs in the defence budget of the order of hundreds of millions of pounds

each year, with money spent managing the consequences of delay rather than delivering maximum capability for the armed forces.

I was able to announce to the House on 14 May, Hansard, column 261, that we had finally balanced the defence budget. The MOD is now engaged in a process of transformation to deliver the behaviour-changing incentives and structures that will maintain the budget in balance in the fixture. The restructuring of DE&S is key to this process.

For decades the Ministry of Defence has wrestled with this issue without success, and it is clear that addressing it within current structures will be extremely challenging. Earlier this year, I therefore asked my officials to focus their efforts on considering the comparative benefits which could be derived from changing DE&S into either an executive non-departmental public body with a strategic partner from the private sector (ENDPB/SP), or a Government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) entity. The work done to date, suggests that the strategic case for the GOCO option is stronger than the ENDPB option. Further value-for-money work is under way to confirm this assessment. In the meantime, as resources and commercial appetite constrain our ability to pursue these two options simultaneously to the next stage, I have decided that MOD should focus its effort on developing and testing the GOCO option further.

The work to determine value for money between the options will take place over the next few months, and in parallel we will begin development of a commercial strategy, engaging industry to hone our requirement. This work will support decisions later in the year on whether to proceed with the GOCO option and whether to launch a competition for the private sector management company to run the organisation. Provided that the further work demonstrates that the value-for-money case for GOCO over ENDPB/SP is conclusive, this will be followed by an investment appraisal that will test the GOCO against a public sector comparator, following which a decision on whether or not to proceed will be taken.