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Boarding School Allowance
Mr. Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the total number of children benefiting from the boarding school allowance for the past five years, indicating the number of children whose parent is (a) of officer rank or above and (b) of other junior ranks; [5593]
- (2) if he will list the total spent on the boarding school allowance in each of the past five years and the total number of children benefiting from the scheme; and if he will estimate the figures for (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98. [5595]
Mr. Soames [holding answer 25 November 1996]: The total cost to my Department of boarding school allowance for the academic years in question was:
1991-92: £115.35 million
1992-93: £116.72 million
1993-94: £113.61 million
1994-95: £107.24 million
1995-96: £110.60 million
26 Nov 1996 : Column: 196
The total average number of children for whom boarding school allowance was claimed in the academic years in question was:
Mr. Jamieson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the independent schools on the admissible schools list that received funds from his Department in respect of boarding school allowance, indicating for each (a) the number of pupils benefiting from the scheme and (b) the amount of money received in each of the past five years. [5596]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 25 November 1996]: The current admissible schools list--ASL--a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, gives details of the number of relevant pupils.
The amount of money received over the past five years by schools on successive ASLs is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Mans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the net annual and net total savings expected of the defence cost studies carried out by his Department on (a) the Ministry of Defence head office, (b) headquarter-service commands and top-level budget holders, (c) the Ministry of Defence police, (d) research and development, (e) procurement projects and practices, (f) the procurement executive--organisation and functions, (g) the review of market testing and contracting out, (h) financial management, (i) estate-property, (j) repairs-spares-storage and distribution, (k) naval infrastructure, (l) training, (m) recruitment--manning arrangements, (n) medical, (o) non-operational information systems strategies and expenditure, (p) security, (q) defence intelligence, (r) Royal Air Force management structure and manning, (s) Army management structure and manning, (t) Royal Navy management structure and manning, (u) music, (v) animals and vets, (w) catering and messes, (x) chaplaincy services, (y) Ministry of Defence fire services, (z) terminal air traffic control services, (aa) legal services, (bb) travel and subsistence, (cc) cost of regulations, (dd) the Meteorological Office, (ee) radiological protection, policy, advice and audit, (ff) forms and publications and (gg) uniforms, at the time each study was complete; when these savings were expected to commence; what are the actual net annual and total savings so far achieved in each case; and what is the latest estimate of net total savings expected for each of these studies at 1995-96 prices. [5467]
26 Nov 1996 : Column: 197
Mr. Soames:
The total savings expected of the defence costs study remain as published last year in the MOD's memorandum "Front Line First: a year on": some £720 million in 1996-97 rising to over £1 billion per annum by the end of the decade.
This estimate reflects decisions taken by Ministers on the recommendations made by the various study teams as subsequently ratified during the first stage of the implementation process. That ratification was not carried out on a study-by-study basis but the budget areas tasked with implementing the decisions taken. This involved breaking out the various study team recommendations, many of which crossed budgetary boundaries, and allocating them to the appropriate budget areas. Initial monitoring of progress was done on this basis too.
The savings information is not, therefore, available in the form requested. Nor since the end of 1995 have the savings been monitored centrally or separately; they have been incorporated into the budgets of the areas concerned who are responsible for ensuring they are achieved.
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Challenger tanks can be transported through the channel tunnel. [5709]
Mr. Soames:
This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Hodson to Dr. David Clark, dated 26 November 1996:
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number, and rank, of flight qualified pilots in each of the services. [5712]
My Department has kept detailed statistics which analyse only the number of children whose parent is an officer or other rank, for the academic year 1995-96. In that year, the average number of children whose parent is an officer is 7,125 and the average number of children whose parent is another rank is 3,574. Statistics for the previous four academic years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
1991-92: 16,208
1992-93: 15,120
1993-94: 12,567
1994-95: 11,363
1995-96: 10,699
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, about the transportation of Challenger tanks through the Channel Tunnel, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive Agency.
Challenger tanks could be transported through the Channel Tunnel, as the Tunnel rail loading gauge is large enough to accept all variants. As I pointed out in my reply to your earlier Question on the various methods of moving tanks, the transportation means on either side of the Tunnel would vary. The UK rail loading gauge cannot accommodate Challenger tanks and loading to and from continental rolling stock would need to take place at Cheriton, the tanks having been transported there by road. Dependent on the destination on the continent, on-move on the French side could be either by rail or road.
There are no current intentions to utilize the Tunnel for moving tanks but planning continues, in order that this could be a future option.
| Numbers | |
|---|---|
| RN | |
| Captain | 16 |
| Cdr. | 68 |
| Lt. Cdr. | 214 |
| Lt. | 331 |
| Sub. Lt. | 6 |
| Total | 635 |
| RM | |
| Brigadier | 2 |
| Lt. Col. | 4 |
| Major | 4 |
| Captain | 7 |
| Lt. | 14 |
| Acting Lt. | 1 |
| WO1 | 1 |
| WO2 | 4 |
| CSgt. | 8 |
| Sgt. | 18 |
| Cpl. | 3 |
| Total | 66 |
26 Nov 1996 : Column: 198
| Total numbers | Army Air Corps | Other arms(4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | |||
| Maj. Gen. | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Brig. | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Col. | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| Lt. Col. | 58 | 42 | 16 |
| Maj. | 171 | 133 | 38 |
| Capt. | 110 | 73 | 37 |
| Lt. | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| WO1 | 29 | 23 | 6 |
| WO2 | 64 | 60 | 4 |
| SSGT | 96 | 84 | 12 |
| SGT | 165 | 128 | 37 |
| CPL | 67 | 31 | 36 |
| Total | 794 | 590 | (5)204 |
(4) Includes limited number of doctors who are specialists in Aviation medicine and remain in flying practice.
(5) Includes nine who no longer fly (five of whom are REME maintenance test pilots).
| Numbers | |
|---|---|
| RAF | |
| Air Rank | 68 |
| Gp. Capt. | 119 |
| Wg. Cdr. | 248 |
| Sqn. Ldr. | 604 |
| Junior Officer | 1,443 |
| Total | (6)2,482 |
(6) Only 1,607 are currently in flying posts. The remainder are either employed in flying related or ground appointments.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Mr. Cyril D. Townsend: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to announce a decision on a replacement for the royal yacht Britannia; [5689]
- (2) where the decommissioned royal yacht Britannia is to be located; [5691]
(3) if he will make a statement on his proposals for the decommissioning of the royal yacht Britannia; and when these will be implemented. [5690]
26 Nov 1996 : Column: 199
Mr. Soames: Britannia is scheduled to be decommissioned in the second half of 1997; her programme for next year, including decommissioning, is currently under consideration. The Government are considering Britannia's future once decommissioned, including a number of proposals for the future use of the vessel, most of which envisage a permanent mooring as a heritage attraction. The Government are examining the requirement for a replacement royal yacht, and will announce a decision in due course.
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